The cost to run traditional medical simulation varies widely depending on modality, scale, and context, but published analyses provide concrete estimates and highlight key cost drivers.
For high-fidelity, in situ hospital trauma team simulation, the mean cost per participant was €203 (about $220 USD), and the mean cost per team was €1,220 (about $1,320 USD) for a 2-hour session. Annual costs for 40 sessions training 238 professionals totaled €58,000 (about $62,800 USD). Costs per team decrease as more teams are trained, reflecting economies of scale.[1]
A multi-site neonatal simulation program in the U.S. reported a mean cost of $39,211 per site for program design and implementation, with personnel accounting for over 90% of costs. Monthly costs for ongoing neonatal resuscitation training during the program were about $1,113 per site, lower than pre-implementation costs ($2,504 per site).[2]
Key cost components include:
Personnel and Administration (Includes staffing, program design, and administrative overhead)
Equipment and Supplies
(Manikins, task trainers, and consumables)
Facilities and Space Use
(Training space, simulation centers, and utilities)
Travel and Logistics
(For multi-site or remote programs)
Cost-effectiveness depends on the number of learners, frequency of sessions, and whether simulation replaces or augments other training. Reporting of cost elements in the literature is often incomplete, but comprehensive models for cost analysis are available and recommended for future studies.[4][5]
In summary, running traditional medical simulation typically costs several hundred to several thousand dollars per session or participant, with personnel and equipment as the main drivers while costs may decrease with scale.[1][2][3]
References