VHA SimLEARN
Mobile simulation partners with Women’s Health to conduct training
By Lionel Dacpano
Program Manager
SimLEARN Resuscitation Education Initiative (REdI)
GRAND ISLAND, Neb. – A new SimLEARN Mobile Simulation Training Team (MSTT) at the VA Nebraska-Western Iowa Health Care System (NWIHCS) is taking to the roads to conduct simulation training with providers at all levels across the region.
Recently, this SimLEARN MSTT partnered with the VHA Women’s Health Services to develop a 1-day mini residency for rural providers and nurses. The event was held in Grand Island on May 2 and again in Norfolk, Nebraska on May 4.
Typically, VHA Women’s Health holds a 3-day mini residency conference in Orlando with more than 200 participants. SimLEARN MSTT and Women’s Health worked together to condense this course to accommodate and provide training for providers and nurses serving in rural community based outpatient clinics (CBOCs) and smaller VA facilities.
Sometimes, providers and nurses are not able to go to the mini residency in Orlando and leave their small facilities for a period of time without any backup. Using this mobile format, SimLEARN MSTT brought its training to the facilities so that providers can receive the training with minimal impact to operations.
During this training event, five providers and seven nurses were trained between the two sites. In preparation for the training, participants watched a dozen training recordings on VA’s Talent Management System (TMS). For the 1-day face-to-face portion, participants took part in case studies in the morning, and the afternoon was filled with several task trainers (pelvic, breast trainers), and a show-and-tell table with plenty of women’s health tools, supplies and equipment on display. There was also a gynecological training associate, (a live subject) with which participants were able to practice pelvic and breast exams. In all, each nurse and provider received more than 18 hours of training.
“This pilot was a fantastic collaboration between Women's Health and MSTT,” said Traci Turner, management analyst for Women's Health Services. “This, in turn, was a win-win for the providers, nurses, trainers and women Veterans who will now be able to receive comprehensive gender-specific care at their local facility.”
Dr. Aimee Sanders (center) instructs Nurse Practitioner Karen Kulp (left) on pelvic examinations. (VA photo by Traci Turner)
