Evolution of Clinical Simulation Training and Pandemic-Led Acceleration: The International Medical University (IMU), Malaysia Journey

In many universities, simulation-based learning has finally been inducted as a member of 'the accepted teaching modality community'. This paper is to share the challenges and successes in the journey towards the inclusion of simulation-based learning in the medical curriculum at the authors' university which saw a steep surge during the COVID-19 pandemic. Our teaching and learning that was heavily traditional based went through a dramatic change to adapt to the new norm when the actual environment and patients became out of reach. We followed five factors (5 Fs) that significantly influenced the successful change: fast, force, fellowship, flexibility, and favourable reception.