In this episode of Between 2 Simulators, Dr. José Generoso, President of the Brazilian Simulation Society, and a critical care physician, shares his journey into healthcare simulation and his mission to expand its role in Brazil. Drawing from his residency at Albert Einstein Israeli Hospital and a fellowship at UCSF, Dr. Generoso emphasizes the importance of faculty development over costly technology. He highlights Brazil’s growing simulation landscape, discusses collaborations with international societies, and advocates for cost-effective solutions to improve patient care. His vision is clear: empower educators to make simulation accessible and impactful across Brazil’s diverse healthcare system.
In a compelling episode of Between 2 Simulators, Dr. José Generoso, critical care physician and President of the Brazilian Society for Simulation in Healthcare, joined host Jake Rahman to discuss his journey into healthcare simulation, his efforts to promote simulation in Brazil, and his vision for the future of simulation-based education.
From his early exposure to simulation as a resident at the Albert Einstein Israeli Hospital in Brazil to his advanced clinical simulation fellowship in the United States, Dr. Generoso’s path reflects a passion for enhancing patient safety and improving medical training. Now at the forefront of simulation education in Brazil, he continues to advocate for strengthening faculty training and developing cost-effective simulation strategies to expand its reach.
From Intensive Care to Simulation Advocate
Dr. Generoso’s journey into simulation began during his residency at the Albert Einstein Israeli Hospital in São Paulo, Brazil, one of the country’s leading healthcare institutions.
“I was a critical care resident, and Einstein had an incredible simulation center,” Dr. Generoso recalled. “I experienced first-hand how impactful simulation was in improving my learning. That experience sparked my desire to understand simulation more deeply.”
Determined to advance his knowledge, he traveled to the United States in 2014 to complete a two-year advanced clinical simulation fellowship at the San Francisco VA Medical Center in partnership with UCSF. Under the mentorship of Dr. Richard Fiedler and Dr. John Hirsch, he gained expertise in simulation-based education.
“At first, I didn’t know how my experience as a learner would translate into being an educator,” he admitted. “But the fellowship showed me the power of using simulation to train healthcare professionals and improve patient care.”
Bringing Simulation Home to Brazil
Upon returning to Brazil, Dr. Generoso dedicated himself to expanding the role of simulation in medical training. Now as President of the Brazilian Simulation Society, he’s committed to positioning simulation as a key strategy for enhancing healthcare performance, improving patient safety, and promoting quality care.
“What keeps me passionate about simulation is its ability to constantly evolve,” he explained. “Every year, there are new innovations, new teaching strategies, and new technologies. But the goal remains the same — to improve healthcare through better training.”
Faculty Development: The Foundation of Effective Simulation
While technological advancements in simulation are exciting, Dr. Generoso strongly believes that faculty development should be the primary focus.
“You can have the most advanced simulator in the world, but without skilled educators, its value is limited,” he emphasized. “Investing in faculty development is the best way to ensure simulation tools are used effectively.”
Dr. Generoso advocates for empowering educators with practical skills to maximize the potential of simulation tools.
“We don’t need million-dollar holograms or robots to improve learning outcomes,” he said. “But we do need well-trained educators who know how to use simulation techniques effectively.”
Expanding Simulation in Brazil: Overcoming Barriers
Despite Brazil’s size and complexity, Dr. Generoso sees great potential for simulation to expand. He highlighted the need for creative solutions to address the challenges facing simulation adoption across the country.
Brazil’s geographical diversity, combined with disparities in healthcare infrastructure, makes standardizing simulation education a challenge. To address this, the Brazilian Simulation Society is working to:
- Promote digital tools to enhance remote learning.
- Establish stronger faculty development programs to train educators in effective simulation techniques.
- Foster collaboration with hospitals, universities, and regional organizations to promote simulation’s value.
“Brazil is a continental country,” he explained. “To expand simulation, we must train educators to make the best use of the tools they already have, rather than relying solely on expensive technology.”
International Collaboration and Partnerships
Dr. Generoso highlighted the growing role of the Brazilian Simulation Society in strengthening ties with international simulation organizations. He discussed ongoing collaborations with:
- The Chilean Society for Simulation, where certified simulation professionals in Brazil are now recognized in Chile and vice versa.
- The Portuguese Society for Simulation, where joint research projects and publications are driving knowledge exchange.
- The Society for Simulation in Healthcare (SSH) in the United States, where the Brazilian Simulation Society maintains an affiliate partnership to promote shared learning and best practices.
“We are building bridges across Latin America and beyond,” Dr. Generoso said. “Collaboration is key to growing simulation in Brazil and improving patient outcomes globally.”
Fostering Innovation Through Cost-Effective Solutions
While Brazil is home to major international simulation brands, access to cutting-edge technology can be costly due to import taxes and logistics challenges. Dr. Generoso sees an opportunity to promote cost-effective simulation strategies that make the most of available resources.
“Simulation doesn’t always require expensive tools,” he stressed. “The key is finding creative ways to use affordable equipment while still achieving meaningful learning outcomes.”
He also acknowledged the growth of local Brazilian simulation companies, which are developing innovative VR platforms, patient simulators, and task trainers tailored to Brazil’s healthcare system.
Inspiring Innovation at Brazilian Simulation Society
Under Dr. Generoso’s leadership, Brazilian Simulation Society recently held its Brazilian National Simulation Conference in Rio de Janeiro, attracting diverse participants from across the country.
- The conference included:
- Hands-on workshops for educators to improve their simulation skills.
- Demonstrations from local and international vendors showcasing innovative simulation tools.
- A platform for knowledge exchange, enabling institutions to learn from each other’s experiences.
“Our goal is to empower educators by showing them how to integrate simulation into their own settings — whether it’s a hospital, university, or small community clinic,” Dr. Generoso said.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Simulation in Brazil
When asked about the future of simulation, Dr. Generoso expressed optimism about simulation’s potential to expand into more healthcare institutions across Brazil.
“We’ve seen enormous growth in the last 20 years,” he reflected. “The key now is to ensure that simulation becomes part of everyday training — not just something done occasionally.”
He envisions a future where cost-effective solutions, digital tools, and faculty development programs will make simulation accessible even in remote regions of Brazil.
“Simulation is a technique, not just a technology,” Dr. Generoso emphasized. “If you have well-trained educators who understand simulation principles, they can create powerful learning experiences — even with simple tools.”
Final Thoughts: A Leader Committed to Change
Through his work with the Brazilian Simulation Society, international collaborations, and ongoing dedication to improving faculty training, Dr. José Generoso is shaping the future of simulation in Brazil.
His message is clear: successful simulation doesn’t rely on expensive technology alone — it thrives on skilled educators, creative solutions, and a commitment to improving patient care.
“In the end, it’s all about people,” Dr. Generoso concluded. “Empowering educators and fostering collaboration is how we’ll ensure simulation continues to grow and improve healthcare outcomes in Brazil and beyond.”
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