Recent advances in scenario-based training for medical education

Purpose of review To summarize recent thinking about how to best design simulations and other virtual environments in medical education and training. Recent findings On the basis of work done in a military context, I describe an approach to scenario-based training and provide a conceptual framework in which developmental activities can be organized. This approach emphasizes the linkages among learning objectives, scenario events, performance measures, instructional strategies and feedback in creating effective scenario-based training. Summary In presenting this framework, I hope that medical educators and practitioners can have a deeper appreciation for how to best design and implement scenario-based training.