The Tbilisi Simulation Center at Tbilisi State Medical University (CSMSC) provides a structured approach to simulation-based education in Georgia. With over 20 years of experience, the center supports multidisciplinary training across medicine, nursing, and public health, integrating OSCE and OSPE assessments into its curriculum. Its facilities, international collaborations, and community outreach activities reflect a steady commitment to adapting medical education to evolving healthcare needs and increasing patient safety.
In the heart of Tbilisi, the Clinical Skills and Multidisciplinary Simulation Center (CSMSC) stands out as one of the leading medical simulation hubs in the Caucasus region. Established in 2004 at Tbilisi State Medical University (TSMU), an institution with more than a century of academic excellence, the center has evolved into a benchmark for innovation in healthcare education, research, and simulation-based training.
Twenty Years of Experiential Learning
For over two decades, CSMSC has provided an opportunity for students of the Faculties of Medicine, Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Public Health, Nursing and Midwifery Bachelor’s Programs to practice across the spectrum of medical care. From foundational skills to complex multidisciplinary scenarios, simulation is embedded across the entire learning pathway, enabling students to translate theory into practice without risk to patients.
Infrastructure and Resources
Spanning approximately 1,500 square meters within TSMU’s first academic building, the center includes 25 classrooms and 3 observation rooms. The center has rooms and additional spaces to support high-stakes assessments such as Objective Structured Clinical Examinations (OSCE) and Objective Structured Practical Examinations (OSPE), with up to 12 stations running simultaneously.
Advanced audio-video systems ensure real-time monitoring and feedback, while an electronic announcement system facilitates smooth exam flow. The center is equipped with state-of-the-art task trainers and high-fidelity manikins, allowing for highly realistic clinical simulations.
How did we start and what are we aiming for?
Originally launched as the “Central Laboratory of Clinical Skills,” the center was rebranded in 2018 to reflect its expanded mission and multidisciplinary scope. Since 2014, the CSMSC Department has been delivering 19 mandatory and elective training programs in Georgian, English, and Russian. These programs are aligned with national higher education benchmarks and focus on the clinical competencies required at graduation.
Assessment is conducted through OSCE/OSPE formats. The first pilot OSCE in Obstetrics and Gynecology (OB-GYN) was implemented in 2012 as part of the US Agency for International Development (USAID) “Sustain” program. Today, OSCEs are conducted across four modules: OB-GYN, Pediatrics, Internal Medicine, and Patient Examination, alongside one OSPE track.
Training sessions are led by experienced clinicians and academic physicians, supported by a dedicated technical team that ensures seamless operations and long-term sustainability of the equipment and facilities. A dedicated online platform provides students with access to schedules, syllabi, learning materials, tutorials, and examination information.
Beyond the Curriculum
CSMSC has taken a number of important steps in the direction of strengthening community engagement and public education, the so called “the third mission”. The center regularly delivers First Aid and Emergency Medical Care training to non-medical professionals and participates in educational exhibitions and festivals.
More than 1,500 schoolchildren have visited the center, gaining essential life-saving knowledge through interactive sessions.
Since 2023, the Simulation Student Club has further expanded training opportunities, offering courses in Basic Life Support (BLS) and First Aid. To date, student instructors have trained approximately 350 peers, fostering a culture of peer-to-peer learning and leadership.
International reach
Since 2017, CSMSC has been listed in the European directory of simulation centers by the Society for Simulation in Healthcare (SSH). The center is also actively involved in international projects such as ERASMUS+ Simulation in Undergraduate MEDical Education for Improvement of SAFEty and Quality of Patient Care (SAFEMED) and Life Support Training and Dissemination (LIFESTRAND), aimed at integrating and enhancing simulation-based education across medical curricula. The aim of the projects is to integrate simulation learning into medical education and improve its quality.
Faculty members regularly participate in professional development programs organized by the Association for Medical Education in Europe (AMEE). The Director of the center, Irma Manjavidze, is an AMEE specialist and associate member, further strengthening the center’s international connections.
A Forward-Looking Perspective
Looking ahead, CSMSC remains committed to innovation and continuous improvement. As healthcare systems evolve rapidly, simulation centers must adapt just as quickly to remain relevant and effective.
Our center is very popular among students as they have the opportunity to foster experiential learning in a safe environment using simulation-based learning. However, healthcare has entered an era of continuous change and there is always space to grow, right? So simulation will likely follow suit. Our center will therefore require considerable investment in terms of finance and time and effort of staff, thus we will have to move quickly to keep up.
Prof. Irma Manjavidze, Director of CSMSC
Conclusions
The Clinical Skills and Multidisciplinary Simulation Center in Tbilisi represents a structured and steadily evolving approach to simulation-based education. By bridging education, clinical practice, and community engagement, the center not only prepares future healthcare professionals but also contributes to a broader culture of safety and excellence. As healthcare education continues to change, its experience highlights the importance of maintaining quality, adapting curricula, and investing in both people and resources to ensure continuity and relevance over time.
Address: Clinical Skills and Multidisciplinary Simulation Center, 33 Vazha-Pshavela Ave., Tbilisi, 0186, Georgia. Tbilisi State Medical University, I building of the university.
Phone: (+995 32) 254 25 28; (+995 32) 254 58 60
Email: csmsc@tsmu.edu
DECLARATION OF THE USAGE OF AI: The author declares that no artificial intelligence tools have been used in the writing, editing, or revision of this article.
COMPETING INTERESTS: The author Declare that they have no competing interests.
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