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‘A wonderful mechanism for teaching’

Advanced simulators allow med students to make mistakes safely.

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By Christopher Magan, Staff Writer Updated 12:15 PM Monday, August 23, 2010

CENTERVILLE — Advanced simulators may be the latest way to train medical professionals, but they also allow teachers to ensure what has always been their first priority — patient safety.

“You cannot put a price tag on safety,” said Cherie Rebar, associate director of nursing for Kettering College of Medical Arts. “Simulators are woven into every course we teach. It may not be everyday, but it is heavily involved.”

Medical educators gathered at Bethany Village Continuing Care Retirement Community Aug. 17 for a conference that focused on embracing technology in the classroom, held by the Nursing Institute of West Central Ohio. Topics included using virtual online worlds, social media and the growing presence of simulators in medical training.

The latest wave of medical simulators are wirelessly operated patients that give students a chance to react to unusual circumstances. John Smilie, of Gaumard Scientific, a Miami-based manufacture of medical simulators, demonstrated Noelle, a birthing simulator with a heart beat, respiration and even the ability to bleed.

“Being able to train in a simulated environment provides an atmosphere of safety,” said Rebar. “(Students) can continue to do something over and over until they can’t do it wrong.”

Wright State has a living laboratory at Bethany Village where a family of sims resides to help students train for a variety of medical situations.

“It is like a children’s museum for adults,” said Patti Burnell, director of simulated education for WSU’s nursing school. The laboratory allows students to focus on caring for the elderly at home as well as different trauma exercises. “It is a wonderful mechanism for teaching,” Burnell said.

Rebar expects the reliance on technology to continue in the entire growing field of medicine.

“I see technology in every avenue of health care. It is costly at first, but once up and running it will save money in the long run.”

Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2342 or cmagan@Dayton DailyNews.com.

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