Anesthesia Assistant Virtual Simulation – TBC February 2026

Faculty/Staff: Kieran Gionet, support from Hilary Schmidt, Instructional Designer, TRU Open Learning
Platform: CANSIM; WordPress
Site link (if applicable): https://aavirtualsim.trubox.ca
Services provided: funding, website (WordPress) design/ structure, closed captioning/ transcripts
Description: This project will develop an interactive virtual simulation game for ANES 4101: Clinical Anesthesia, designed to strengthen clinical decision-making skills for Anesthesia Assistant (AA) students. Hosted on the CAN-Sim website (and our own WordPress site on TRUbox) and built using Articulate Storyline and Rise, the simulation will draw on established CAN-Sim virtual game models to create an immersive, first-person learning experience. Through open licensing and dissemination via OER repositories, CAN-Sim, and professional associations, the resource will support learning both nationally and internationally, extending its impact beyond Thompson Rivers University.

The simulation addresses a critical gap in AA education by providing safe, repeatable practice with high-stakes but infrequently encountered clinical scenarios. Using 30–50 short first-person video clips, the game will guide learners through branched pathways where decisions directly influence outcomes. Integrated pre- and post-assessments and structured reflection activities will support both formative and summative assessment. By offering consistent exposure to complex clinical situations, the project supports workforce readiness in a provincially prioritized profession and contributes to improved patient outcomes and reduced surgical wait times.

“Working with Open Press has been an incredibly positive experience. The support and funding made it possible to bring a complex and high-fidelity anesthesia crisis simulation to life in a way that hasn’t been done before in Canada.

The project has not only helped us create an innovative and accessible educational tool but provided a great learning experience for the students and educators. I am grateful for the flexibility, encouragement, and trust Open Press extended throughout the process.

This project marks an important step forward for Anesthesia Assistant education in Canada. It introduces a novel, immersive simulation format that enables learners to engage with complex crisis scenarios in a safe but highly realistic way. I’m incredibly proud to have been part of building something essential to the evolving demands of anesthesia education.“