GlossaryGuide

Etym. fidelity (n.) early 15c., “faithfulness, devotion,” from Middle French fidélité (15c.), from Latin fidelitatem (nominative fidelitas) “faithfulness, adherence, trustiness,” from fidelis “faithful, true, trusty, sincere,” from fides “faith.” From 1530s as “faithful adherence to truth or reality;” specifically of sound reproduction from 1878.

Definition

• The degree to which the simulation replicates the real event and/or workplace; this includes physical, psychological, and environmental elements.

• The ability of the simulation to reproduce the reactions, interactions, and responses of the real-world counterpart. It is not constrained to a certain type of simulation modality, and higher levels of fidelity are not required for a simulation to be successful.

• The level of realism associated with a particular simulation activity; fidelity can involve a variety of dimensions (Meakim et al., 2013):

Conceptual Fidelity

• Ensures all elements of the scenario or case relate to each other in a realistic way, so that the case makes sense to the learners (e.g., vital signs reflect the diagnosis).

Physical/ Environmental Fidelity

Factors such as environment, manikins, room, moulage, equipment, noise, and/or props.

Psychological Fidelity

• Factors such as emotions, beliefs, and self-awareness of participants; the extent to which the simulated environment evokes the underlying psychological processes that are necessary in the real-world setting for the participant. The degree of perceived realism, including psychological factors such as emotions, beliefs, and self-awareness of participants in simulation scenarios. (Dieckmann, Gaba, & Rall, 2007; Kozlowski & DeShon, 2004).

See also: ENVIRONMENTAL FIDELITY, FUNCTIONAL FIDELITY, HIGH FIDELITY, HIGH FIDELITY SIMULATION, IMMERSIVE SIMULATION, LOW FIDELITY, PHYSICAL FIDELITY, PSYCHOLOGICAL FIDELITY, REALISM, SIMULATION FIDELITY