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April 12, 2023
Why Simulation based training is essential for Emergency Medicine
Emergency medicine (EM) practice is broad and can include rare high stress scenarios. This makes maintaining competency particularly challenging. Simulation-based training allows providers to practice a variety of scenarios and to gain the experience needed to provide high quality and effective care. The International Federation for Emergency Medicine endorses the use of simulation for the purposes of continuing professional development.
A Canadian National Survey found sixty percent of Canadian academic emergency medicine sites reported using simulation-based continuing professional development. The 252 respondents at 9 institutions indicated that the top 5 content areas of interest for simulation-based continuing professional development were as follows:
1. Rare procedures
2. Pediatric resuscitation
3. Neonatal resuscitation
4. Airway emergencies
5. Obstetrical emergencies
Universities, colleges and hospitals have leveraged simulators to train their medical staff to meet their program needs for decades. Emory University prepares their EM resident doctors for high stress infant respiratory emergency situations by using simulators to provide quick and effective care (blog link, ABC10 News Article). Conemaugh Health System nursing students experience a variety of common and rare scenarios by leveraging simulation to practice techniques. Simulating rare labor complications in the lab helps the students prepare to handle these situations effectively, helping them provide quality care. (blog link)
Simulation can also benefit multi-disciplinary teams in emergency situations. For example, Canadian college students and instructors in partnership with fire, police and emergency medical services (EMS) use patient simulators to aid in vehicle accident scenarios. CEGEP - John Abbott College students of the technical police departments, emergency and pre-hospital nursing care participated in a mock collision with injuries requiring an arrest for drunk driving (Youtube Video). Students and instructors of Fanshawe College partnered with EMS professionals during their emergency care simulation training and leverage the high fidelity Trauma HAL patient simulator (CTV News Article).
Patient Simulators for Emergency Medicine
Gaumard Scientific has been developing patient simulators of varying ages and genders to meet the needs of users for over 60 years. Simulators fidelity or level of realism portrayed in a simulated educational experience varies. Ultra and High-fidelity simulators are the most complex option with the greatest number of features including advanced functions such as sound and visual response, facial expressions and dynamic lungs. In contrast, low fidelity models have basic features like standard CPR feedback simulators. The table below highlights a selection of Gaumard simulator models by content area and fidelity. Learn more about patient simulators for emergency medicine here.
Ultra-High Fidelity Patient Simulators
Gaumard has several ultra-high fidelity simulators including the HAL S5301 which is most recent advancement patient simulations. This technology has been designed to fulfill educational objectives across clinical disciplines from emergency care to ICU and med-surg training. The simulator has lifelike motor movement, next gen simulated physiology and can be connected to actual medical equipment such as patient monitors and ventilators. Some examples of procedures and skills that can be practiced include chest tube thoracostomy, airway management, abdominal bleeding, intraosseous access, intra-arterial blood pressure and more. The video below highlights some its advance features.
Mixed Reality Patient Simulators
An exciting development in the world of simulation includes the use of mixed reality with patient simulators. Obstetric MR enables the synchronization of holograms with the physical world, allowing learners to see inside birthing simulators like Victoria and observe the dynamic physiology underlying difficult deliveries to promote a new level of learning. Users can learn about normal vaginal delivery, shoulder dystocia, breech, and nuchal cord. Students and staff can study the rotation of the pelvis and the fetal shoulder during McRoberts and suprapubic pressure maneuvers as they perform them. Unlike video and static physical models, holograms can be viewed from any angle, scaled to a life-size, or scaled-down on a desk.
Minogue Medical Inc. is the official distributor of Gaumard Scientific products in Canada. If you would like to learn more about simulation technology and which patient simulation models would provide value to your educational program, please reach out to our simulation sales team of Marc Minogue, Danielle Hull, Ben Smithson and Laetitia Juste.
