Simulation as an educational strategy for health professionals: A bibliographic review

Simulación como estrategia educativa para profesionales de la salud: Una revisión bibliográfica

Abstract

Introduction and objective: The training of health professionals faces growing challenges, emerging clinical simulation as a powerful educational strategy to develop essential competencies in a safe and controlled environment, with the aim of analyzing the impact of clinical simulation on the development of competencies in health sciences students. Materials and methods: A narrative bibliographic review was carried out (2018-2025) using search engines such as PubMed, Scielo and Google Scholar with the search pattern clinical simulation AND health sciences students AND impact, all articles that did not directly address clinical simulation as an educational strategy were excluded, those that focused exclusively on contexts other than the field of health sciences, as well as studies focused on already qualified professionals and not on students; using a documentary analysis matrix. Results: Simulation has consistently been shown to significantly improve technical, psychomotor, and non-technical skills (communication, teamwork, critical thinking, decision-making), increase student confidence, self-efficacy, and satisfaction, reduce anxiety associated with initial practice, and foster a culture of patient safety. Structured debriefing is identified as a crucial component for consolidating learning. Conclusion: Clinical simulation is a high-value, high-impact educational strategy that effectively complements traditional training, improves the preparation of future professionals, and contributes to patient safety, despite the logistical and economic challenges inherent in its implementation.