TIC Salut Social Foundation and Vall d’Hebron boost virtual clinical simulation to improve healthcare training in Catalonia

The TIC Salut Social Foundation (FTSS) and the Vall d’Hebron Research Institute (VHIR) have signed a collaboration agreement to drive the digital transformation of healthcare training in Catalonia. The agreement sets a joint framework to develop the SIMOONS project, a virtual clinical simulation platform designed to enhance healthcare professionals’ training.

The agreement aims to promote research, development and innovation in clinical simulation and digital health technologies. Within this framework, both institutions will collaborate to optimise and expand the SIMOONS platform, developed at Vall d’Hebron’s Advanced Clinical Simulation Centre.

The initiative responds to a shared interest in promoting digital innovation in healthcare and providing accessible training tools across the territory. It seeks to improve clinical practice, patient safety and quality of care, especially in primary and community care.

Driving digital innovation in healthcare

SIMOONS is a web-based virtual clinical simulation platform that enables training in highly realistic digital healthcare scenarios. It works through an internet connection and offers both instructor-led and self-guided sessions.

This approach enables practical training without the need for complex physical infrastructure, making it scalable and accessible.

The agreement establishes a co-organisation model between both institutions. They commit to jointly developing the project, defining training content, ensuring regulatory compliance and protecting confidentiality.

• Vall d’Hebron provides the SIMOONS platform and clinical expertise
• TIC Salut Social promotes innovation and the deployment of digital solutions

Both parties also ensure proper recognition in scientific outputs and protection of intellectual property. This agreement reinforces collaboration between both institutions to move towards a more innovative, efficient and accessible healthcare system, where virtual simulation and artificial intelligence play a key role in professional training.

The project includes technological improvements, pedagogical adaptation, real-world implementation and dissemination.

Key goals include:

• Deployment in more than 20 healthcare centres
• Training of over 250 professionals
• High usability and user satisfaction

It also promotes territorial equity by enabling access to advanced training in underserved areas.

Vall d’Hebron to host Simulation Week from 27 to 30 April

As part of this strategy, Vall d’Hebron will host its Simulation Week from 27 to 30 April, featuring activities that highlight the role of clinical simulation in improving training and patient safety.