Developing a co-ordinated research strategy for child health related simulation in the UK: Phase 1

[First paragraph] The explosion of simulation in health care education has been embraced by all disciplines and specialties; within paediatrics there are already established centres using state of the art equipment and, importantly, well trained and experienced faculty. However between regions in the UK there are differences in availability, uptake and utilisation of simulation-based training. Research related to simulation whether educational, technological or outcome focused, seems to be carried out on an ad hoc basis. The Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (RCPCH) have appointed a lead for simulation who chairs the RCPCH simulation working group. As part of this a research sub-group has been created. The first aim of this group was to quantify the extent and content of child health relevant simulation research that has been undertaken in the UK in the last decade.