Virtual simulation in healthcare education: a multi-professional, pan-Canadian evaluation.

Virtual simulation experiences are increasingly being used in healthcare education. Results from this rigorous, large-scale evaluation identified ways to enhance the quality of these experiences to increase learning and to potentially decrease the number of hours healthcare students need in clinical practice to meet professional competencies. Further research is needed regarding many aspects of virtual simulations and, in particular, curriculum integration and the timing or sequencing of virtual simulations to best prepare students for practice.