Table 1.

Current SBT modalities, their geographical spread, benefits, and individual limitations.

SBT modality	Description	Geographical spread	Benefits	Limitations
High-fidelity	Utilizes advanced patient simulators that closely mimic human physiology and responses	Widely adopted in North America, Europe, and Asia	- Realistic patient scenarios - Immersive learning experience - Opportunities for hands-on practice with medical equipment - Real-time feedback and assessment	- Cost-prohibitive for many institutions - Requires specialized facilities and equipment - May lack scalability for large-scale training programs - Maintenance and repair of simulators can be challenging
VR	Creates computer-generated environments and scenarios that users can interact with using VR headsets	Increasing adoption worldwide, particularly in developed regions	- Immersive, lifelike simulations - Safe and controlled learning environment - Accessible anytime, anywhere - Opportunity for repeated practice - Real-time feedback and assessment	- Initial setup costs can be high - Requires technical expertise to develop and maintain simulations - Potential for simulator sickness or discomfort - Limited tactile feedback compared to real-world interactions
AR	Overlays digital information onto the real-world environment, enhancing learners’ situational awareness	Growing adoption in healthcare education and training	- Enhances realism by integrating digital content with the physical environment - Facilitates hands-on learning experiences - Improves spatial awareness and decision-making skills	- Limited availability of AR hardware and software - Requires specialized training for users - May be prone to technical glitches or malfunctions - Limited depth perception and immersion compared to VR
Standardized patients	Actors trained to portray patients with specific medical conditions and histories	Commonly used in North America and Europe, expanding globally	- Provides realistic interactions with patients - Allows for the practice of communication and interpersonal skills - Opportunities for empathy and cultural sensitivity training - Flexibility in scenario design and customization	- Cost and resource-intensive to train standardized patients - Variation in performance quality among standardized patients - Limited scalability for large-scale training programs - May not fully replicate the complexity of real patient encounters
Hybrid simulations	Combines multiple simulation modalities, such as high-fidelity mannequins, with virtual or augmented reality	Emerging trend with increasing adoption in various regions	- Offers diverse learning experiences - Integrates strengths of different modalities - Provides comprehensive training across multiple skill domains - Enhances realism and immersion	- Complexity of setup and coordination among different modalities - Potential for technical integration challenges - Requires specialized expertise to design and facilitate hybrid simulations - Cost and resource-intensive

This comprehensive table overviews various SBT modalities, their geographical spread, benefits, and limitations. It underscores the diverse range of options available to educators and healthcare professionals. Importantly, it highlights the need to consider cost, realism, and scalability factors when selecting appropriate modalities for training programs. By considering these factors, educators and healthcare professionals can make informed decisions that best meet their training needs.

AR = augmented reality, SBT = simulation-based training, VR = virtual reality.