Episode 44: The Rise of Simulation in Healthcare


November 13, 2015

In this episode Marlene Donahue talks about simulation and the growing interest and demand for healthcare applications. First, Marlene describes the evolution of simulation in healthcare and how it grew across all areas of healthcare.Historically simulation has always been used in healthcare, especially in high risk scenarios. Currently there is an increasing request for simulation as a way to practice in a safe environment with no risks for patients.

 

Marlene also provides a clear definition of simulation and simulators.  Simulation is a technique rather than a technology and simulators are the tools, the task trainers. She lists different aspects of simulation like virtual realities, computerized patient mannequins, standardized patients or actors, and then provides examples of task trainers from the simple to the highly complex: chester chest, IV arms, bronchoscopy, surgical trainers. She also highlights the emotional responses that learners experience when interacting with mannequins or practicing realistic situations. Simulation is the modality that allows for deliberate practice in a safe learning environment, in contextualized scenarios and through interprofessional collaboration. Marlene emphasizes the importance of practice for the development of mastery and expertise.

Individuals, practitioners, and  students ask for opportunities for practice to assimilate knowledge, skills and attitudes that they can use in their clinical practice. Teams use simulation to improve teamwork, team effectiveness, and team communication. Systems can test, evaluate and improve quality and risk management through simulation.

Finally, Marlene outlines some potential advancements of simulation in education, research and industry and she brings attention to a growing momentum for a change that promotes the desired culture of safety in healthcare.

After listening to this podcast listeners will be able to:
1.  Look at the evolution of simulation into healthcare,
2.  Explore the diversity of applications and uses for simulation in healthcare,
3.  Consider areas and possible challenges for future development and research.

Marlene A. Donahue, RN, BScN, MN
Marlene is the former director of the South eSIM Provincial Simulation Program. For six years she was responsible for the eSIM simulation within the Central Calgary and South zones and the Operations Director for the ATSSL (Advance Technical Skills Simulation Lab) which is a joint simulation centre between the Cumming School of Medicine and eSIM AHS. Previously she worked as Regional Manager eSIM (educate, Simulate, Innovate, Motivate) as a core team leader with the Medical Director, Critical Care and Director of Inteprofessional Education and Workforce Utilization of the previous Calgary Health Region (CHR) to develop a strategy for clinical simulation.

Marlene is also the Principal Investigator and Co-Investigator of several research projects and she has been actively reporting her findings in public presentations and publications.

References:

Read more:
Society for Simulation in Healthcare: www.ssih.org
Canadian Interprofessional Health Collaborative (CIHC) Competency Framework: www.cihc.ca
Canadian Patient Safety Insitute: www.patientsafetyinstitute.ca