Abstract / Summary
Simulation-based education (SBE) is increasingly recognized as an important component of postgraduate Emergency Medicine (EM) training. However, national-level data on its implementation, perceived value, and barriers within Malaysian postgraduate EM training programs remain limited. This survey aimed to describe current SBE practices, simulation modalities, scenario exposure, implementation barriers, and stakeholder perspectives on the future role of SBE in Malaysian postgraduate EM education. A multicenter cross-sectional survey was conducted among emergency physicians, program coordinators, and postgraduate EM trainees across four Malaysian university teaching hospitals. Two structured questionnaires were used to assess simulation frequency, modalities, scenario exposure, resource adequacy, barriers to implementation, and perceptions of SBE and advanced simulation technologies. Descriptive analyses were used to summarize findings. Exact 95% confidence intervals were calculated for selected proportions, and ordinal scenario frequency across institutions was explored using the Kruskal–Wallis test. A total of 98 of 140 invited participants completed the survey, giving an overall response rate of 70.0%. This comprised 71 of 88 postgraduate EM trainees, response rate 80.7%, and 27 of 52 emergency physicians/program coordinators, response rate 51.9%. Monthly simulation sessions were most commonly reported by program coordinators, comprising 7 of 12 responses (58.3%, 95% CI 32.0%–80.7%). Partial-task trainers were the most frequently used modality reported among trainees (99%). High-frequency exposure was reported for cardiac emergencies, trauma resuscitation, and airway management (median score ≥ 4), while obstetric emergencies and disaster simulations were less frequently conducted (median score 2–3). Major barriers included insufficient trained facilitators (81.5%), lack of time (74.1%), limited equipment (70.4%), and cost constraints (70.4%). Despite these challenges, both faculty and trainees strongly endorsed the future expansion of SBE and the integration of advanced simulation technologies. SBE is commonly reported and highly valued within the participating university-based postgraduate EM training programmes in Malaysia. However, implementation is perceived to be constrained by facilitator shortages, time limitations, resource constraints, and gaps in scenario diversity. These findings highlight priorities for faculty development, institutional support, curriculum planning, and collaborative resource sharing, while further outcome-based research is needed to evaluate the effects of SBE on trainee performance and clinical practice.