ASPiH INDIA Conference 2025: Advancing Simulation in Healthcare
The Association for Simulated Practice in Healthcare (ASPiH India) hosted its annual conference in August 2024 at the Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Chennai, India. The event brought together international and Indian leaders in simulation-based education, patient safety, and healthcare innovation. Over two days, the conference combined interactive workshops and scientific sessions, offering participants a rich blend of practical training and strategic perspectives. While Day 1 emphasised applied skills, Day 2 delivered forward-looking discussions on standards, policy, innovation, and research.
The pre-conference workshops on August 22nd introduced participants to simulation-based practices across disciplines. Sessions included Enhancing Nursing Practice through In-Situ Simulation, Interprofessional Education through Simulation, and Bridging Educational Gaps in Allied Health Education. Led by experts including Ms. Colette Laws-Chapman (President, ASPiH, UK) and Prof. Sharon Marie Weldon (President-Elect, ASPiH, UK), the workshops emphasised error identification, scenario design, and hands-on demonstrations. These sessions provided a strong foundation and contextual grounding for the scientific programme on Day 2.
The scientific sessions opened with Prof. Dr. Makani Purva (Executive Director, SHE Consulting; Honorary Professor, Hull York Medical School, UK; Consultant Obstetric Anaesthetist, Hull Teaching Hospitals, UK). Drawing on her leadership in healthcare simulation, she reflected on the growing importance of simulation in preparing the workforce for complex challenges. Her keynote emphasised integrating leadership, workforce development, and systems thinking into simulation strategies, urging participants to view simulation not as an adjunct but as an essential part of healthcare practice.
Ms. Colette Laws-Chapman introduced the British Healthcare Simulation Standards. Her presentation highlighted accreditation and quality assurance as essential to ensuring credibility and consistency in simulation-based programmes. She emphasised that standards offer a structured framework for benchmarking outcomes and can serve as a model for international adaptation.
Prof. Sharon Marie Weldon provided a global perspective on simulation’s role in advancing patient safety. She demonstrated how structured simulation programmes reduce risk, improve team performance, and strengthen system preparedness. Her session underscored simulation’s position as a frontline strategy for safer healthcare delivery.
Dr. Anigrace Kalaimathi (Registrar, Tamil Nadu Nursing Council, India) shared a pioneering approach to integrating simulation-based education into nursing practice. She highlighted how simulation standardises competencies, builds clinical confidence, and fills critical gaps in traditional nursing education. Her presentation offered a strong vision for advancing nursing education across India.
A distinguished panel explored the policy and regulatory dimensions of simulation in healthcare education. Panellists included:
The discussion was moderated by Dr. Pratheema Ramachandran (Senior Consultant & Coordinator, Apollo Specialty Hospitals, India). The panel addressed frameworks for regulation, accreditation of training centres, and the need for policies that support scaling simulation while safeguarding quality.
Dr. Jane Roome (Special Interest Group Lead, ASPiH, UK) discussed best practices for strengthening simulation centres. Her session stressed sustainability, faculty development, and collaboration across institutions. She emphasised that simulation centres must adapt continuously to remain relevant to evolving healthcare needs.
Prof. Paul O’Connor (Research Lead, ASPiH, UK) explored research opportunities and challenges in simulation. He underscored the importance of rigorous methodologies and outcome-driven studies, calling for stronger links between academia and practice to demonstrate the real-world impact of simulation.
Dr. Adith Chinnaswami (Co-founder, Medisim VR, India) showcased how artificial intelligence (AI), virtual reality (VR), and extended reality (XR) are transforming simulation-based education. His session highlighted practical applications of immersive technologies that make training more adaptive, scalable, and accessible, offering exciting possibilities for both resource-rich and resource-limited settings.
The day concluded with a vote of thanks from Prof. Makani Purva, who recognised the contributions of faculty, participants, and organisers. Her remarks reinforced the collaborative spirit that underscored the event.
The ASPiH conference demonstrated the breadth and depth of simulation’s role in healthcare today. Day 1 grounded participants in practical skill-building, while Day 2 showcased strategic themes—patient safety, quality standards, policy frameworks, research, and technological innovation. By featuring global leaders alongside Indian experts, the conference highlighted how simulation can be adapted across contexts while maintaining a shared vision of safer, more effective healthcare.
Held at the Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research, Chennai, the event reaffirmed simulation’s status as not merely an educational tool but a transformative force in healthcare delivery. The discussions and collaborations at ASPiH 2024 signalled that the future of simulation is here—and it is integral to shaping tomorrow’s healthcare systems.
