Use of Simulation as a Tool for Assessment and for Preparing Students for the Realities and Complexities of the Workplace

The focus of this chapter is the use of simulation as a tool for assessing students’ developing practice and for preparing students for the realities and complexities of the workplace. The evidence for the efficacy of using simulation is considered along with examples of simulation activity from social work; adult nursing and paramedic science programmes at Bournemouth University, each one involving stakeholders (service users and carers) who have first-hand experience of the scenario the simulation activity is based on and who formed part of the assessment and feedback process. Testimonies are incorporated from academics, practitioners, service users and students regarding the efficacy of simulation models in assessing practice and in enabling students to use assessment and feedback (and feed forward) to improve their practice.