Canadian expert gave master class on simulation training

A cycle of practical lessons to improve qualification of TSMU simulation training center instructors took place in late May.  Colette Foisy-Doll, BScN; MSN; RN; CHSE,  Head of the Simulation Center at MacEwan University, and a consultant for developing simulation training programs, taught a class “Organization and the latest methods of simulation training in medicine.”

For four days, our teachers from different departments, who have classes at the simulation training center, studied the theory and practice of developing and implementing simulation-based education (SBE) in North American educational institutions. The history of this educational approach derives from the experience in in the fields of aviation and spatial engineering, which were among the first to train using simulation equipment. This eventually led to a 50% reduction in aviation accidents and spatial errors. SBE is being taught worldwide for  more than 10 years. This allowed to gather scientific evidence of the high effectiveness of this teaching method. An NCSBN national simulation study (Hayden, J, Smiley, RA,  Alexander, M, Kardong-Edgren, SE, Jeffries, P (2014). The NCSBN national simulation study: A longitudinal, randomized, controlled study.), was used to develop methodological recommendations that aim at replacing 25 to 50% of clinical hours with simulation training in pre-licensure nursing education, without any loss of education quality as measured by a variety of  students’ performance indicators.

TSMU instructors learned that the main purpose of simulation exercises is not only to master practical skills, but being able to consciously apply them as a team in real-life or emergency situations; to develop in students clinical thinking and professional approach. There are various techniques for performing simulation exercises: simple simulations, virtual simulations, full-scale simulations, hybrid, and so on.

Additionally, Colette Foisy-Doll gave a lecture on the latest approach in medical education, which becomes increasingly important in recent years, so called inter-professional education.

The team of class participants offers their sincere thanks to Colette Foisy-Doll  for her enthusiasm and passion in sharing her knowledge and experience; and to the university administration for organizing the class.