What Students Do in the Labs
In the Simulation Labs, students standardized patient encounters and human patient simulations are used for skill building. The simulation suites are designed to replicate clinical settings and have the capability to mimic situations that students will encounter throughout their training and future careers. While working with standardized patients and human patient simulators hone necessary critical thinking and diagnostic skills. Through the use of sophisticated technologies students are prepared for real-world practice in a safe learning environment.
To achieve these scenario-based educational experiences, the Simulation Labs utilize equipment and lab rooms like the following:
- Type of Equipment:
- Sectra Virtual Anatomy Table: The Sectra table allows students and educators to virtually explore 3-D human body images. The table supports virtual dissection, allowing users to visualize tissue, muscles, and organs. Through the use of this table, students will have greater knowledge of bodily functions, variations, and rare disease.
- Human Patient Simulators (HPS): Simulators that respond physiologically are used in the labs are designed to replicate patient-provider interactions, allowing students to develop critical skills such as physical examination. Each HPS is integrated with computer software that allows them to replicate bodily responses and interventions. The labs utilize a variety of simulators including Metiman, SimMan Essential, SimMom, SimJunior, and SimBaby that have modifiable anatomies to represent conditions.
- Standardized Patient Encounters (SP): Highly-trained actors playing the role of patients are used in rooms designed to simulate a provider’s office. Students work with SPs to develop communication skills, practice history documentation and diagnose.
- Descriptions of each exam room and simulation suites:
- Simulation suites: These rooms are modeled to mimic various clinical settings (ER, hospital rooms, OR, Labor and Delivery or outpatient clinics). Each room is equipped with realistic hospital equipment that the students would use in the clinical environment. Suites are equipped with cameras for recording and playback.
- Standardized patient rooms: Designed to mimic outpatient clinical setting each room is equipped with examination table, diagnostic equipment, and sinks to allow the students to interview patients, perform a physical examination and provide and assessment and plan. All rooms are equipped with cameras for recording and playback.
- Clinical Labs: Large spaces for instruction to learn clinical skills and tasks utilizing various partial body task trainers and other simulators.
- Classrooms: Used for instruction, pre-briefing and debriefing sessions.