Digital simulation in healthcare: why video simulation and debriefing are transforming patient safety
Digital simulation is revolutionizing the training of healthcare professionals. Virtual reality, video-simulation, interactive scenarios, simulated patients... These are all approaches recognized by the French National Authority for Health as essential for enhancing care safety, developing technical and non-technical skills, and supporting a culture of continuous improvement.
The Guide to good practice in healthcare simulation published by the HAS in March 2024 stresses the need for structured programs, centered on reflective analysis and debriefing, considered to be the major learning time...
At the heart of this transformation, video simulation, combined with structured debriefing, is a highly effective method - and this is precisely the expertise of SafeTeam Academy, the only French solution whose pedagogical structure fully meets HAS requirements (briefing, scenario, debriefing, evaluation).
Numerical simulation: a method validated by the HAS
According to the HAS, digital simulation enables :
- reproduce a realistic care environment (clinical situations, actions, decisions);
- to work on both technical and non-technical skills;
- analyze practices through structured debriefing based on targeted feedback;
- reinforce the safety culture, particularly in high-risk areas (medication, checklists, vital emergencies, stress management);
- offer flexible, step-by-step learning adapted to field constraints.
The guide reminds us that debriefing is the moment when we understand the mechanisms, reasoning, limits and strengths of the professional, in a psychologically safe space. This is a central element of the SafeTeam Academy method, which achieves a 94% satisfaction rate with its debriefings, proof of its impact.
Why video simulation has become indispensable
Video simulation immerses the learner in a realistic clinical situation, filmed from the professional's point of view. We observe, analyze, question and replay key actions.
Its strengths:
- confrontation with rare, risky or sensitive situations that are not dangerous for patients;
- greater emotional immersion than a simple e-learning module;
- standardisation: each learner experiences exactly the same scenario;
- powerful support for debriefing, thanks to annotated images or indexed key sequences (HAS, recommandations débriefing - p.18-20).
In its recommendations, the HAS points out that video enables participants to analyze behaviors and teamwork in detail, and to engage in non-aggressive, fact-based dialogue - essential for lasting learning.
Debriefing: the driving force behind sustainable learning
Structured debriefing, as described by the HAS, follows three stages:
- Descriptive phase: what happened?
- Analysis phase: why did it happen?
- Synthesis/application phase: what will I change tomorrow?
These steps are at the heart of the SafeTeam Academy method, which trains all its staff in structured debriefing, in compliance with HAS requirements:
- caring environment ;
- lack of judgment ;
- objective indicators ;
- limited focus on a few critical points;
- exploring stress, communication and teamwork.
So debriefing is not a "commentary": it's a fully-fledged, scientifically-validated teaching method.
Measured impact: evidence from the literature 2025
The BMJ Open Quality 2025 study conducted with SafeTeam Academy demonstrates the impact of a structured program combining e-learning, immersive simulation and professional debriefing.
Results on 112 caregivers over 18 months show:
- significant improvement in non-technical skills (communication, leadership, stress management, speaking-up);
- increase in incident reporting;
- improved annual safety audits ;
- measurable improvement in individual and team performance.
This study confirms a fundamental point: the combination of simulation + video simulation + debriefing is the most powerful tool for transforming safety culture on a large scale.
SafeTeam Academy: 100% in line with HAS best practices
SafeTeam Academy has established itself in France as the benchmark for digital simulation and video simulation, with :
- 16,000 learners trained in 12 months,
- > 90% engagement rate,
- 94% satisfaction with debriefings,
- a catalog fully aligned with the HAS 2024 Good Practice Guide.
Each course follows the recommended sequence:
situation analysis → pedagogical objectives → realistic scenario → briefing → simulation / video simulation → structured debriefing → evaluation → improvement plan.
The themes cover priority patient safety issues:
- prevent abuse and improve the patient experience ;
- OR checklists, intraoperative risks ;
- medication errors, labelling, reporting culture ;
- emergency leadership ;
- patient and team communication ;
- managing high-stress situations.
SafeTeam Academy offers scientifically sound, compliant and, above all, effective CPD training courses, using teaching methods derived from the aeronautics industry (SHELL, Reason, TFORDEC) and integrated with clinical simulation.
Conclusion: digital simulation is no longer an option, but a standard
Things have moved on: digital simulation is now an educational and ethical imperative, supported by the HAS, international scientific data and feedback from professionals.
It allows:
✔ to improve patient safety,
✔ to sustainably transform practices,
✔ to develop technical and non-technical skills,
✔ to foster a culture of safety and speaking-up,
✔ without disrupting clinical activity.
SafeTeam Academy, by combining video simulation, immersive scenarios and structured debriefing, offers a turnkey solution, already validated by figures, satisfaction and measured impact.
For facilities, it's a unique opportunity to reinforce the quality of care, motivate teams, and fully comply with the requirements of the 6th certification cycle.
