Educational Applications

The potential applications of medical simulation are expanding dramatically in scope and number as research begins to show promise for this valuable training tool.

The appeal of reproducible enactments embodying critical, stressful real-life situations, while absolutely eliminating risk of harm to patients or staff, is clear in our increasingly patient-safety-conscious medical community:

• Simulation can be used to improve clinical decision-making and psychomotor skills (e.g., airway management, trauma resuscitation).
• Simulation reduces medical error through improved teamwork.
• Scenarios can be created to expose medical professionals to known error-producing conditions or to rare but critical clinical situations that may require specialized training.
• Educators can ensure a reproducible curriculum for all trainees.
• Training can be conducted in a setting that minimizes time pressures present in the clinical environment.