Celebrating Innovation During Healthcare Simulation Week

The Office of Simulation in Medicine and Surgery (SIMS) held a day of celebration during Healthcare Simulation Week on Thursday, September 19^th. At the event, students, faculty and staff learned about upcoming projects and the role of simulation in healthcare education.

As the first osteopathic medical school to receive accreditation as a Comprehensive Education Institute with the American College of Surgeons, RVU offers cutting-edge technology that advances simulation in healthcare education. The program has greatly expanded in the past ten years, and is dedicated to providing hands-on education to all members of the healthcare team, including RVU’s own medical and physician assistant students, local EMS and paramedic students, and residents in general surgery and family medicine programs. Practicing physicians can also refine their laparoscopic and robotic surgery techniques.

The program employs specialized manikins and technology such as the Cut Suit®, a human-worn body suit that contains battery-operated, blood-filled vessels and organs that accurately replicate the look and feel of actual intra-abdominal and intra-thoracic contents.  Students can also practice and develop their communication and clinical skills in the Standardized Patient lab, where trained actors portray realistic scenarios and symptoms for students to diagnose.

The Office of SIMS also includes robust research initiatives, including the presentation of abstracts, posters and papers in many national and international conferences and conventions. Interested students can join the Sim Scholar program, which provides additional simulation mentoring or participate in the annual Simulation Team Competition.

In addition to simulation initiatives within the Office of SIMS, RVU has also added a Digital Health Track that will further enrich students’ medical education through the use of emerging technology and software applications. The track will feature training in artificial intelligence, remote monitoring, telemedicine and telehealth, population health analytics, nanotechnology, and much more.

“[Simulation] provides deliberate practice with minimal risks and allows opportunity for real time feedback,” said Chasity Edwards, Assistant Director of the Office of SIMS. “It gives [RVU] students exposure to some of the more uncommon events that they may not otherwise experience in their clinical externships.”

Healthcare Simulation Week not only celebrated RVU’s accomplishments and innovative simulation program, but also the professionals around the world who use simulation to improve the safety, effectiveness, and efficiency of healthcare services every day.