Human patient simulator provides
new teaching tool
Practice makes perfect
Human patient simulator provides
new teaching tool
Practice makes perfect
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| Photo by HSIMS Surgical resident Dr. Michael Hogan demonstrates the use of the new trauma simulator, purchased by the Health Care Corporation of St. John’s with donations from the oil and gas sector. In this simulation, the man-like equipment demonstrates symptoms consistent with a car accident. For teaching purposes, the scenario can be videotaped and discussed later with the resident and other members of the trauma team. |
With all the appearance and symptoms of an
injured man on a stretcher, a $375,000 human patient simulator is now
available to help teach medical students and healthcare professionals
in the province.
The trauma simulator was purchased by the Health Care Corporation of St.
John’s through money raised in the Give to Feel Good Capital Campaign.
Funds donated by the oil and gas sector included a lead gift from Petro-Canada,
together with donations from Chevron Canada Resources, Murphy Oil Company
Ltd., Norsk Hydro Canada Oil & Gas Inc., North Atlantic Refining Limited
and Schlumberger Canada Ltd. The total raised from the oil and gas sector
was about $800,000 for the trauma simulator and other related trauma/emergency
equipment.
For the next five years, the sophisticated equipment will be leased to
the medical school for use as a teaching tool. The trauma simulator will
allow physicians and medical students to work with a multiple-injury patient
in a highly realistic environment. It can also simulate scenarios with
critically ill patients that are not trauma related, for example airway
problems and cardiac problems.
The General Hospital is now accredited with the Trauma Association of
Canada as a tertiary care trauma centre. “The trauma simulator is
the first of its kind in our province,” said John Abbot, chair of
the Board of Trustees of the HCC, at a news conference to announce the
acquisition of the simulator. “It provides the opportunity for medical
education and research, thereby enhancing the health care system for all
residents of Newfoundland and Labrador.”
Dr. Darrell Boone, a surgeon with the HCC and member of the Faculty of
Medicine, spoke on behalf of medical staff interested in acquiring the
trauma simulator as adjunct to education. “It will be of use in teaching
undergraduates and graduates as well as for continuing medical education
for physicians and also allied health personnel. Practice makes perfect,
but in some situations you can’t learn on the job – we need
high fidelity experience without deadly outcomes.”
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