Frequently Asked Questions

What is SimWARS™?

SimWARS™ is double-elimination competition that challenges clinical interdisciplinary health care teams to compete against each other in simulated patient scenarios.

Is there an audience?

The preliminary rounds are conducted in the Simulation Center at Cooperman Barnabas with independent judges determining the winning teams. Northeastern States are encouraged to send teams to represent their state. The final round will be held in the Islami Auditorium in front of an audience, first Thursday in November.

Are we judged?

Each team’s performance will be reviewed by an expert panel examining the areas of teamwork, communication, and clinical decision making. The champions will be determined through a combination of audience voting, using an audience response system and the judges scoring.

How is the competition organized?

  • Round 1 - Starts the last Monday in September and ends on the first Friday in October, EVERY YEAR
    Teams will compete against each other in the management of a simulated case. Team A will compete against Team B in round 1, blinded to each other’s performance. Team C will do the same against Team D and so on. Expert judges will give their input and winners will be determined. The winning teams will advance to the next round. Losing teams will be reconfigured to form new “scrambled” teams who will then compete.
  • Finals – First Thursday of November, EVERY YEAR
    The finalist from the preliminary round will compete for the title of the Northeastern Interprofessional SimWARS™ Champion.

Is there a fee?

There is no fee to participate in SimWARS™

Do we have to be familiar with simulation?

No, no previous experience with simulation in necessary.

Do we have to be familiar with emergency procedures?

No, oral and maxillofacial surgeons have participated in cases.

Where has SimWARS™ been held previously?

SimWARS™ is held yearly at the International Meeting for Simulation in Health Care (IMSH), the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP) Academic Assemble, Cooperman Barnabas Medical Center, RWJBarnabas Health and at many venues around the world.

Who created SimWARS™?

The SimWARS™ competition was developed by: Haru Okuda, MD, Andy Godwin, MD and Scott Weingart, MD