Simulation technology use in disaster medicine education and training: a scoping review
BackgroundDisaster medicine (DM) education has increasingly turned to simulation technologies to address the limitations of traditional training methods. Tools such as virtual reality, mobile applications, and e-learning platforms offer immersive and repeatable learning environments. However, the ra...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-08-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Disaster and Emergency Medicine |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/femer.2025.1636285/full |
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| author | José García Ulerio José García Ulerio Mouhanad Al Khatib Bassma Aammar Bassma Aammar Luca Ragazzoni Luca Ragazzoni Francesco Barone-Adesi Francesco Barone-Adesi Marta Caviglia Marta Caviglia |
| author_facet | José García Ulerio José García Ulerio Mouhanad Al Khatib Bassma Aammar Bassma Aammar Luca Ragazzoni Luca Ragazzoni Francesco Barone-Adesi Francesco Barone-Adesi Marta Caviglia Marta Caviglia |
| author_sort | José García Ulerio |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | BackgroundDisaster medicine (DM) education has increasingly turned to simulation technologies to address the limitations of traditional training methods. Tools such as virtual reality, mobile applications, and e-learning platforms offer immersive and repeatable learning environments. However, the rapid growth of these tools has outpaced efforts to synthesize how they are being applied, what learning goals they target, and how outcomes are reported.ObjectiveThis scoping review aimed to map the current evidence on how simulation technologies are used in DM education and training, with a focus on the educational objectives addressed and the types of tools and metrics reported.MethodsFollowing the PRISMA-ScR guidelines, a comprehensive search of four databases (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and IEEE Xplore) identified original studies published between 2000 and 2024. Thirty-two studies met the inclusion criteria. Data were charted on the type of technology, training topic, learning group, and evaluation methods.ResultsMass casualty triage was the most frequently addressed topic. Virtual reality, mobile application, and serious games were the most common modalities. Most studies reported improvements in knowledge, triage accuracy, or learner confidence. However, evaluation strategies varied widely, with most relying on short-term knowledge tests or self-reported confidence. Few studies addressed the realism of the training environments or the integration of digital tools into broader instructions frameworks.ConclusionTechnology-enhanced DM education shows promise, particularly for immersive triage training. However, inconsistent evaluation practices and limited curricular integration highlight the need for more rigorous, outcome-aligned research to support effective use of simulation technology in this field. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-cc081a7cdfc147b89ab5da60b11a87c4 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2813-7302 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-08-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Disaster and Emergency Medicine |
| spelling | doaj-art-cc081a7cdfc147b89ab5da60b11a87c42025-08-20T03:59:25ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Disaster and Emergency Medicine2813-73022025-08-01310.3389/femer.2025.16362851636285Simulation technology use in disaster medicine education and training: a scoping reviewJosé García Ulerio0José García Ulerio1Mouhanad Al Khatib2Bassma Aammar3Bassma Aammar4Luca Ragazzoni5Luca Ragazzoni6Francesco Barone-Adesi7Francesco Barone-Adesi8Marta Caviglia9Marta Caviglia10CRIMEDIM—Center for Research and Training in Disaster Medicine, Humanitarian Aid and Global Health, Università del Piemonte Orientale, Novara, ItalyDepartment of Translational Medicine, Università del Piemonte Orientale, Novara, ItalyFaculté de Santé, Université de Toulouse, Toulouse, FranceCRIMEDIM—Center for Research and Training in Disaster Medicine, Humanitarian Aid and Global Health, Università del Piemonte Orientale, Novara, ItalyDepartment of Translational Medicine, Università del Piemonte Orientale, Novara, ItalyCRIMEDIM—Center for Research and Training in Disaster Medicine, Humanitarian Aid and Global Health, Università del Piemonte Orientale, Novara, ItalyDepartment for Sustainable Development and Ecological Transition, Università del Piemonte Orientale, Vercelli, ItalyCRIMEDIM—Center for Research and Training in Disaster Medicine, Humanitarian Aid and Global Health, Università del Piemonte Orientale, Novara, ItalyDepartment of Translational Medicine, Università del Piemonte Orientale, Novara, ItalyCRIMEDIM—Center for Research and Training in Disaster Medicine, Humanitarian Aid and Global Health, Università del Piemonte Orientale, Novara, ItalyDepartment of Translational Medicine, Università del Piemonte Orientale, Novara, ItalyBackgroundDisaster medicine (DM) education has increasingly turned to simulation technologies to address the limitations of traditional training methods. Tools such as virtual reality, mobile applications, and e-learning platforms offer immersive and repeatable learning environments. However, the rapid growth of these tools has outpaced efforts to synthesize how they are being applied, what learning goals they target, and how outcomes are reported.ObjectiveThis scoping review aimed to map the current evidence on how simulation technologies are used in DM education and training, with a focus on the educational objectives addressed and the types of tools and metrics reported.MethodsFollowing the PRISMA-ScR guidelines, a comprehensive search of four databases (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and IEEE Xplore) identified original studies published between 2000 and 2024. Thirty-two studies met the inclusion criteria. Data were charted on the type of technology, training topic, learning group, and evaluation methods.ResultsMass casualty triage was the most frequently addressed topic. Virtual reality, mobile application, and serious games were the most common modalities. Most studies reported improvements in knowledge, triage accuracy, or learner confidence. However, evaluation strategies varied widely, with most relying on short-term knowledge tests or self-reported confidence. Few studies addressed the realism of the training environments or the integration of digital tools into broader instructions frameworks.ConclusionTechnology-enhanced DM education shows promise, particularly for immersive triage training. However, inconsistent evaluation practices and limited curricular integration highlight the need for more rigorous, outcome-aligned research to support effective use of simulation technology in this field.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/femer.2025.1636285/fulldisaster medicine educationsimulation technologyvirtual realitymass casualty incidentsmass casualty triage |
| spellingShingle | José García Ulerio José García Ulerio Mouhanad Al Khatib Bassma Aammar Bassma Aammar Luca Ragazzoni Luca Ragazzoni Francesco Barone-Adesi Francesco Barone-Adesi Marta Caviglia Marta Caviglia Simulation technology use in disaster medicine education and training: a scoping review Frontiers in Disaster and Emergency Medicine disaster medicine education simulation technology virtual reality mass casualty incidents mass casualty triage |
| title | Simulation technology use in disaster medicine education and training: a scoping review |
| title_full | Simulation technology use in disaster medicine education and training: a scoping review |
| title_fullStr | Simulation technology use in disaster medicine education and training: a scoping review |
| title_full_unstemmed | Simulation technology use in disaster medicine education and training: a scoping review |
| title_short | Simulation technology use in disaster medicine education and training: a scoping review |
| title_sort | simulation technology use in disaster medicine education and training a scoping review |
| topic | disaster medicine education simulation technology virtual reality mass casualty incidents mass casualty triage |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/femer.2025.1636285/full |
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