PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT

HEALTHCARE SIMULATIONIST

CODE OF ETHICS

Supported By

Individuals and organizations engaged in healthcare simulation work toward safe practice, improved performance, and quality of healthcare. This Code of Ethics shall guide and apply to all who practice healthcare simulation.

As simulation professionals, we recognize that the practice of simulation exerts influence across multiple facets of healthcare. In light of this responsibility, we commit ourselves to the following Code of Ethics.

This Healthcare Simulationist Code of Ethics aims to promote, strengthen, and support an ethical culture among all individuals and organizations engaged in healthcare simulation. It underscores the commitment of Healthcare Simulationists to the highest standards of integrity.

This Code of Ethics is intended to ensure that Healthcare Simulationists perform all activities to the highest ethical standards across the globe. It draws on and develops the fundamental values and practices expressed by the United Nations Development Program and other professional associations.

VALUES

Integrity

Healthcare Simulationists shall maintain the higheststandards of integrity including honesty, truthfulness,fairness, and judgment in all matters affecting their duties.
They shall:
  • Respect and cultivate an ethical organizationalenvironment.
  • Provide, as appropriate, disclosure of simulation activitydesign assumptions, limitations, alterations, and problems.
  • Be explicit and unequivocal about the applicability of specific simulation activities and methods according to the available evidence.
  • Work to eliminate unnecessary harm to humans, animals,and the environment.
  • Honor privacy rights of individuals and organizations, and uphold the confidentiality of data and outcomes as appropriate.
  • Respect and acknowledge all intellectual and propertyrights and give due credit where appropriate.

Transparency

Healthcare Simulationists shall perform all healthcaresimulation activities in a manner that promotes transparencyand clarity in the design, communication, and decision-making processes.
They shall:
  • Adhere to accepted standards in the documentation,analysis, design, development, implementation, andevaluation of simulation activities.
  • Disclose any activities that may involve real or perceived conflicts of interest.
  • Be explicit about the nature and purpose of the simulationactivity, including research activities.
  • Restrict simulation activities involving deception, ensuringthat deception is minimized to the extent possible anddoes not involve the concealment of risk or intent to harmor punish.

Mutual Respect

Healthcare Simulationists shall respect the rights, dignity, andworth of all. They shall practice empathy and compassion
to support beneficence and non-maleficence towards all involved in simulation activities.
They shall:
  • Honor the knowledge, skills, values, and vulnerability oflearners and colleagues.
  • Listen to others’ points of view, seeking tounderstand them.
  • Exhibit humane behavior, honor diversity, and fosterinclusion, avoiding prejudicial treatment.
  • Maximize safety and minimize physical andpsychological risk.

Professionalism

Healthcare Simulationists shall conduct themselves in amanner that upholds the professional standards inherent inhealthcare simulation.
They shall:
  • Demonstrate professional competence and attitudes.
  • Exhibit continuous personal and professionaldevelopment.
  • Encourage and develop colleagues and new entrants tothe healthcare simulation profession.
  • Cultivate opportunities for the advancement of thehealthcare simulation profession.

Accountability

Healthcare Simulationists shall be accountable for their decisions and actions in fulfilling their duties and responsibilities.
They shall:
  • Continuously seek, reflect on, and incorporate feedback.
  • Submit themselves to professional review as required.
  • Be role models of ethical behavior.
  • Exhibit professional conduct that is a credit to the healthcare simulation community, employer, and self.
  • Identify and notify relevant parties of unsafe, unethical, orunprofessional behaviors.
  • Design and use simulations in a way that wisely usesavailable resources.
  • Maintain vigilance regarding not only desired outcomes, but also potential unintended consequences of the simulation activity.

Results Orientation

Healthcare Simulationists shall serve to support activitiesthat enhance the quality of the profession and healthcaresystems. Outcomes are inclusive of all parts of the process of healthcare simulation and are not exclusive to a final product.
They shall:
  • Assure the reliable and credible use of healthcare simulation, in line with acknowledged standards of practice.
  • Engage in continuous quality improvement.
  • Create and measure impact across the range ofachievable outcomes, including the practice of simulation, human performance, systems improvement, and direct patient results.
  • Incorporate and embed the Code of Ethics throughout healthcare simulation and organizational culture.
  • Use the Code of Ethics to inform ethical practices in relevant fields.
  • Advance public knowledge about healthcare simulation by promoting access and sharing knowledge and experience.