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Many academic institutions have or are in the process of
implementing high-fidelity human patient simulators to augment didactic
teachings. Some centers are even using these simulator labs to decrease/reduce
the number of hands-on clinical hours.
Personally, I believe these very high cost simulator labs
are a scam and more time should actually be focused at bedside with a dedicated
clinical preceptor.
Note- my views are
from participating in various curriculum's from the schools with very little
resources to highly funded skills labs.
My argument against
high-fidelity human patient simulators
1.
Cost-
the institution has to invest in space, building a simulation lab, lab
equipment overhead cost (e.g. electricity, heating & cooling), and
staffing. I believe these funds can be better allocated.
2.
No proof- There is little evidence indicating
high fidelity simulator labs provide additional benefits versus cheaper methods
of simulation (e.g. role playing, actors, etc). Additionally studies supporting
the high fidelity labs have been performed by the labs themselves, so I believe
there is some biases here.
3.
Hours- many
simulator labs you may only visit a few times a semester. When I was attending
graduate school we only went to the simulator lab twice a semester. Conversely,
in paramedic school we practiced and went over patient assessment skills in
every class. Additionally, with simple simulators I can use these anywhere at any
time.
4.
Groups- Usually,
the simulation lab is a large group exercise with very little individualized
hands on experience.
5.
Scenarios-
Usually during your scheduled time your group only participates in one scenario.
Conversely, with other simulators you can individually go over multiple scenarios
in the same amount of time.
Links to Free Simulators
to augment your education (Click Hyperlinks)
1. Draeger
Ventilator & Anesthesia Delivery System Simulators: http://www.draeger.com/sites/en_uk/Pages/Hospital/Knowledge%20base.aspx
2. Hamilton
Medical Ventilators. Note this is just a link to their home page, you need to
select a specific product to access the simulator: http://www.hamilton-medical.com/products.html
3. Bronchoscopy
simulator: http://kscottrichey.blogspot.com/2011/11/free-bronchoscopy-simulator.html
4. Robert Chatburn’s Ventilator simulators. My favorite, true mathematical models great
for teaching and understanding modes & the variables which influence
mechanical ventilation: http://www.mediafire.com/folder/couszp1esabcd/Robert_Chatburn's_Simulators