A global survey of distress in simulation: Definition, frequency, and description
Violato E. Waring T. Violato E. Kemelova G.
November 2025Elsevier Inc.
Clinical Simulation in Nursing
2025#108
Background: In healthcare, simulation-based education distress can impair cognitive performance and psychological well-being. However, its frequency and contributing factors remain underexplored. Methods: To understand the frequency and occurrence of distress in simulation, a survey was distributed globally to simulationists, utilizing convenience and snowball sampling across global regions. Results: The final sample included 143 participants from 27 countries. Distress was reported to occur occasionally (46.2%), with respondents witnessing a mean of 13.3 distress events during their career and 9.15 in their centre. A set of causes of distress was identified, distress was generally managed effectively, and no significant differences were found across accreditation status, years of experience, or global regions. Conclusion: Distress occurs regularly, though is not a high-frequency event. Further systematic measurement can help to better understand the conditions and frequency of distress.
Cognitive overload , Distress , Healthcare , Psychological safety , Simulation-based education , Stress
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Northern Alberta Institute of Technology, Centre for Advanced Medical Simulation, CAT 126, 11762 106 St NW, Edmonton, AB, T5G 2R1, Canada
IFI FAIMER Fellow, Head of the Center for Simulation and Educational Technologies, Karaganda Medical University, Alalykina Ulitsa, 7, Karaganda, Karaganda, M03T4B4, Kazakhstan
Northern Alberta Institute of Technology
IFI FAIMER Fellow
10 лет помогаем публиковать статьи Международный издатель
Книга Публикация научной статьи Волощук 2026 Book Publication of a scientific article 2026