Inspiration and Hands-on Activity
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Wed. 9/15/2010 - PM
Wednesday afternoon gave participants at the Simulation National Leadership Conference a chance to talk with people in VHA who have successfully used simulation and with those who manufacture simulation equipment.
During the poster session, lively conversations lasted all afternoon as attendees engaged the presenters on their research projects. Poster presentations on performance and process improvement topics ranged across a broad spectrum:
- Care for women Veterans
- Pathogen prevention
- Diagnostic skills, proficiencies, and critical thinking
- Facilities and equipment
- Patient safety and practitioner safety
- Nursing principles and practice
- Anesthesiology
- End of life care
Visitors to the exhibit hall may have encountered Assistant Managing Director for Programs Mary Fakes who was enthusiastic about the amazing hands-on opportunities for participants. The previous afternoon was a brief overview of many concepts and practices of simulation based medical education (SBME). But today, Mary explained, the exhibitors offer participants a chance to go in-depth in their areas of interest, specialty, or practice. That's the way the planning committee and exhibit contractor designed the event, Mary stated. Instead of simply browsing the vendor booths, the exhibitors and participants used the exhibit hall as a learning exchange.
Women Veterans' health was one notable area addressed in the exhibit hall. Practitioners use the entire inventory of simulation equipment and techniques for the growing population of women discharged from the service. Women Veterans have healthcare needs different than those of a traditionally male population-from obstetric needs to counseling services. Simulation tools that addressed these needs were available for participants to try. Exhibitors were on hand to answer any questions.
Exhibitors' equipment ranged from low to high fidelity, from realistic and responsive mannequins to integrated computerized multi-tasking media. One device Ms. Fakes took time to explain was one she had experience with when she was a nurse instructor, the programmable audio stethoscope. This device can be loaded with sound samples to assist learners in diagnosing specific issues, regardless of the sophistication of the learning environment.
The underlying theme from Ms. Fakes was one of patient safety. The goal of simulation, and the reason the exhibitors were present, was to underscore for attendees that opportunities for meaningful and practical SBME can take place without harm to the patient.
