Masters or Doctorate in “Health Professions Education” or “Healthcare Simulation”?

Teaching is an art, a science, and a profession. Like clinical practice, there are continuous advancements in educational knowledge and discoveries around learning effectiveness, informing how best to create and implement high impact education. In the ever-evolving landscape of healthcare, the demand for skilled educators is incessant, often promoting clinically competent practitioners into teaching roles without training in the science of teaching. Recognizing the need for additional training, there is a new generation of clinical providers with formal masters and doctoral degrees in health professions education (HPEd). Additionally, holding an advanced degree in education signifies a commitment to professional development of oneself and of healthcare students and patient safety. It enhances credibility within the field, opens doors to leadership positions, and increases opportunities for collaboration with interdisciplinary teams and academic institutions. Pursuing a master's or doctoral degree in HPEd offers opportunities for engaging in scholarly research, contributing to the advancement of educational theory and practice in healthcare.  

One of the most effective innovations in HPEd over the last two decades is simulation-based education, or educational technologies using healthcare simulation. With the growing recognition of its efficacy, new formal degrees in healthcare simulation have emerged, including the Masters and Doctoral Program at MGH Institute of Health Professions. Amidst this backdrop, a question often considered within our program is whether or not a masters or doctorate in “healthcare simulation” is more valuable than “health professions education.” After deeper exploration over the last decade, we have unveiled profound advantages of degrees in “health professions education” despite the current attraction to “healthcare simulation” titles.

1. Comprehensive Understanding: While training in simulation-based education (SBE) provides focused study on the art of using healthcare simulation, a master's or doctoral degree in HPEd offers a broader and deeper understanding of educational theory, curriculum development, assessment methodologies, and instructional design. These foundational aspects are crucial for effective teaching and leadership roles within healthcare education institutions. The HPEd degree places the simulation capabilities in the best context of their intended goals of more effective training of clinicians throughout the various phases of their careers.
2. Versatility and Career Opportunities: A degree in HPEd equips individuals with versatile skills applicable across various educational settings, including academic institutions, hospitals, clinical settings, and professional organizations. Graduates can pursue diverse career paths as educators, program directors, curriculum developers, educational researchers, and leaders in healthcare education administration, as well as healthcare simulation. A degree in SBE may secure a career in healthcare simulation, however, it may also limit graduates in vertical (i.e., leadership and promotions) or horizontal (i.e., other educator or researcher positions) career movement.
3. Integration of Simulation within a Broader Educational Framework: While healthcare simulation is an invaluable tool for experiential learning, it is most effective when integrated into a comprehensive educational framework. A master's or doctoral degree in HPEd provides the knowledge and expertise to strategically incorporate simulation into curricula, school and hospital systems, aligning it with educational objectives, and optimizing its impact on learner and patient safety outcomes.

In essence, while healthcare simulation plays a vital role in developing SBE skills, a master's or doctoral degree in Health Professions Education offers a comprehensive and holistic approach to preparing educators, researchers, and leaders in healthcare education. It provides the necessary foundation, skills, and credentials to drive innovation, shape educational practices, and ultimately, improve patient care through excellence in healthcare education. To meet the best of both worlds, we, instead, offer a specialized degree track in healthcare simulation so that students may essentially obtain a degree in both HPEd and SBE, still allowing opportunities to deepen areas of inquiry in healthcare simulation while having a broader foundational knowledge in education. We believe that for those aspiring to make a lasting impact in healthcare education by way of healthcare simulation, the path of advanced study in HPEd with a focus in healthcare simulation stands as a beacon of opportunity and distinction.