Towards an enhanced conceptualization of fidelity for instructional design in simulation-based respiratory therapy education

Despite the apparent centrality of fidelity to clinical simulation instructional design and practice in respiratory therapy education, it remains one of most contested constructs in the simulation literature. Fidelity has been described as educationally under-theorized resulting in an emphasis often being placed on technological sophistication rather than theory-informed design, particularly in respiratory therapy. This article critically examines various conceptualizations of fidelity in the field of clinical simulation in an effort to inform its instructional design practices. We adopt the perspective that a shift in the theoretic lens from individualistic to a more socio-cultural orientation may better support our understanding of learning in simulation environments. The instructional design framework (IDF) developed by the Canadian Network for Simulation in Healthcare provides a solid pedagogical foundation on which to base clinical simulations design. The IDF has also been a platform upon which designers can frame the characteristics of simulation environments. We propose an enhanced IDF informed by contemporary education theory describing the joint learning relationship that exists between learners and technology-enhanced learning environments. The enhanced IDF includes each of the interdependent design elements in the original model and incorporates a socio-culturally informed conceptualization of fidelity. The framework will be useful in fostering the relationships that support an effective clinical simulation learning environment. This will be of particular value to practitioners, researchers, and theorists in the clinical simulation-based respiratory therapy education field.