Prebrief (Prebriefing)

Etym. brief “fact or situation of giving preliminary instructions,” 1910 (but popularized by World War II pre-flight conferences). Definition An information or orientation session held prior to the start of a simulation activity in which instructions or preparatory information is given to the participants. The purpose of the prebriefing is to set the stage for… Continue reading Prebrief (Prebriefing)

Portable Simulator

Etym. portable (adj.) Early 15c., from French portable “that can be carried,” from Late Latin portabilis “that can be carried,” from Latin portare “to carry.” Related: Portability. Etym. simulator (n.) 1835, of persons, from Latin simulator “a copier, feigner,” agent noun from simulare “imitate,” from stem of similis “like.” In reference to training devices for… Continue reading Portable Simulator

Physiologic Modeling

Etym. physiology (n.) 1560s, “study and description of natural objects,” from Middle French physiologie or directly from Latin physiologia “natural science, study of nature,” from Greek physiologia “natural science, inquiry into nature,” from physio- “nature” + logia “study.” Meaning “science of the normal function of living things” is attested from 1610s. Related: Physiologic; physiologist. Etym… Continue reading Physiologic Modeling

Physical Fidelity

Etym. physical early 15c., “of or pertaining to material nature” (in medicine, opposed to surgical), from Medieval Latin physicalis “of nature, natural,” from Latin physica “study of nature” (see physic). Meaning “pertaining to matter” is from 1590s; meaning “having to do with the body, corporeal” is attested from 1780. Meaning “characterized by bodily attributes or… Continue reading Physical Fidelity

Participant

Etym. 1560s, from Middle French participant, from Latin participantem (nominative participans), present participle of participare “to share in, partake of” from particeps “sharing, partaking.” Definition In health care simulation, a person who engages in a simulation activity for the purpose of gaining or demonstrating mastery of knowledge, skills, and/or attitudes of professional practice (Meakim et… Continue reading Participant

Orientation

Etym. (n.) 1839, originally “arrangement of a building, etc., to face east or any other specified direction,” noun of action from orient (v.). Sense of “action of determining one’s bearings” is from 1868. Meaning “introduction to a situation” is from 1942. Definition The process of giving participants information prior to a simulation event to familiarize… Continue reading Orientation

Operations Specialist

Etym. operation (n.) late 14c., “action, performance, work,” also “the performance of some science or art,” from Old French operacion “operation, working, proceedings,” from Latin operationem (nominative operatio) “a working, operation,” from past participle stem of operari “to work, labor.” Military sense of “series of movements and acts” is from 1749. Etym. specialty (n.) From… Continue reading Operations Specialist

Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE)

Definition An approach to the assessment of clinical or professional competence in which the components of competence are assessed in a planned or structured way with attention being paid to the objectivity of the examination (Harden, 1988). A station or series of stations designed to assess performance competency in individual clinical or other professional skills.… Continue reading Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE)

Non-technical Skills

Etym. techno word-forming element meaning “art, craft, skill,” later “technical, technology,” from Latinized form of Greek tekhno-, combining form of tekhne “art, skill, craft in work; method, system, an art, a system or method of making or doing.” Etym. skill (n.) late 12c., “power of discernment,” from Old Norse skil “distinction, ability to make out,… Continue reading Non-technical Skills

Multiple modality (Multi-modal) simulation

Etym. modality. 1610s, from Old French modalité or directly from Medieval Latin modalitatem (nominative modalitas) “a being modal,” from modalis. 1560s, term in logic, from Middle French modal and directly from Medieval Latin modalis “of or pertaining to a mode,” from Latin modus “measure, manner, mode.” Etym. simulation (n.) noun of action from past participle… Continue reading Multiple modality (Multi-modal) simulation