02/07/2026
The Association of Anaesthesiologists and Intensivists of Malta (AAIM) is proud to announce that we have officially signed the Østergaard Declaration, reaffirming our commitment to advancing simulation-based education and training (SBET) as a cornerstone of excellence in anaesthesia, intensive care, and patient safety.
Our President, Dr Anne Marie Camilleri Podesta, formally signed the Declaration on behalf of AAIM, having previously signed it as Chair of the National Anaesthesia Simulation Committee (NASC) during Euroanaesthesia 2026 in Rotterdam. This reflects Malta's united commitment to embedding simulation throughout healthcare education and clinical practice.
At AAIM, we have long recognised that simulation is far more than an educational innovation—it is an essential component of safe, high-quality patient care. We are particularly proud that the principles of the Østergaard Declaration are already reflected in Malta's official national Anaesthetics and Intensive Care Medicine Training Programme, where simulation-based education is a mandatory component of every clinical training module and a required element for progression through specialist training. This demonstrates our commitment to translating evidence into practice and investing in the next generation of anaesthesiologists and intensivists.
The Østergaard Declaration sends a powerful message: the evidence supporting simulation-based education is unequivocal. It improves clinical competence, strengthens teamwork, enhances organisational learning, and ultimately improves patient safety. The challenge is no longer proving that simulation works, but ensuring that it is consistently implemented, appropriately resourced, and fully integrated into healthcare systems.
As a professional association, AAIM is proud to stand alongside the European Society of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care (ESAIC) and colleagues from across Europe in advocating for simulation-based education to be recognised as core healthcare and educational infrastructure. Together, we can move from evidence to sustained implementation, ensuring better-trained clinicians and safer care for every patient.
Read the Østergaard Declaration:
https://esaic.org/professional-growth/the-ostergaard-declaration/
Read the accompanying European Journal of Anaesthesiology Editorial:
https://journals.lww.com/ejanaesthesiology/fulltext/9900/european_simulation_based_education_and_training.436.aspx
