Simulation is recognized as a highly effective tool, especially for adult education; learning occurs through "doing" in safe and repetitive conditions, leading to the achievement of the autonomy needed to perform professional tasks. The teaching methodology is based on the principle of "learning by doing," taking advantage of the opportunity, not afforded in clinical practice, to learn from mistakes. Particular attention is also paid to relational development, typical of the care relationship, using simulated patients in role-playing scenarios.

Specifically, starting in the 2011/2012 academic year, the University of Genoa was the first in Italy to include simulation in the curriculum of its Medicine and Surgery degree programs and various health professions degree programs. SimAV, founded in 2015 with the goal of promoting, organizing, and coordinating activities, has expanded its educational offerings to all of the University of Genoa's Schools in their respective disciplinary fields.

Teaching activities (teaching activities) primarily consist of courses (courses) that are institutional in nature when linked to the teaching of the University's degree programs or are aimed at external audiences, such as those aimed at professionals for their continuing education and, in general, those aimed at anyone who needs to improve their professional skills through simulation techniques and technologies.

The activity aimed at external stakeholders is constantly growing (external activities), both for specialists attending master's courses or training events organized by healthcare professionals, and for individuals who need to acquire healthcare skills, such as caregivers (relatives or "carers" of disabled or non-self-sufficient people) or merchant navy officers.

In the 2017-2018 academic year, 4,492 people, including students and professionals, attended SimAv, for 3,818 hours of teaching provided and 51,361 hours of teaching/student.