Table 2.

Simulation Modalities

Modality	Description	Advantage	Disadvantage
Computerized virtual patients	Computer technology to create an on-screen virtual patient or scenario	Able to accommodate large groupsKeep students engaged	Difficult to develop communication or procedural skills
Task trainers	Device used to simulate a specific task, procedure, or skill	Lower in cost	Difficult to accommodate large groups
		Ideal for specific task that require repeated practice
Standardized patients	Human actors hired as a role player	Able to communicate in realistic manner and develop communication skills	Unable to simulate high risk or invasive procedures
			Difficult to use in large groups
Mid-fidelity manikins	Full body simulated patient with minimal computer components	Lower in cost compared to high fidelity options	Difficult to use in large groups
		Able to increase complexity of scenarios	Challenging for complex simulation
		Portable	Lack of verbal responses and difficult to develop communication skills
High-fidelity manikin	Full body computer-based simulated patient with ability to mimic	Able to speak and simulate physical exam findings	Expensive
		Drug recognition and response	Time intensive
		Cardiac monitoring capability	Technology dependent
		Wireless and somewhat portable	Difficult to use in large groups
Virtual reality	Interaction with a synthetic environment that exist solely in the computer	Enhanced visualization	Expensive
			Lack of human interaction
			Lacks flexibility