FAQs - SimLEARN Frequently Asked QuestionsIt’s important to ask the right questions when using the SimLEARN website site to learn more about simulation in healthcare. To address this, we’ve separated the answers to commonly asked SimLEARN questions into sections. For in-depth information about specific topics, review the appropriate section of this website.
General questions about simulation and SimLEARN1. General questions about simulation and SimLEARN Virtual Patient: What is a "virtual patient?” According to the Society for Simulation Healthcare Simulation Dictionary, the definition can be found here: https://www.ssih.org/Portals/48/sim-dictionary-2_1.pdf - p. 55
According to the Society for Simulation Health Care Simulation Dictionary, the definition can be found here: https://www.ssih.org/Portals/48/sim-dictionary-2_1.pdf - p.52
This is from the book Mastering Simulation A handbook for Success – p. 52 Mid-level Mannequins – more rustically mimic reality with pulse, heart sounds and lung sounds, but lack the physiological display of chest rise and fall with breathing, blinking for automated physiological response to interventions (This is ALS Sim Man 3G with shock link) High Fidelity Mannequins – mimics reality by linking, chest rise and fall, respiration and by offering physiological responses to interventions.
a. Typically, the integrators capture video, simulator log files, session annotations, and evaluations. Integration technology is used to centralize and automate the recoding and management of simulation learning sessions. Most integrators: b. Emerging Health Technology Integration (EHTI). A data platform is an integrated technology solution that allows data located in database(s) to be governed, accessed, and delivered to users, data applications, or other technologies for strategic business purposes. Systems Integration is the process of creating a complex information system that may include designing or building a customized architecture or application, integrating it with new or existing hardware, packaged and custom software, and communications. Emerging Health Technology Integration (EHTI) assists in the design, testing and deployment of various data platforms and systems integration technologies in the clinical care delivery setting. Examples include VHA’s Electronic Health Record Modernization (EHRM) effort or Cerner implementation, use of data platforms and systems integration in clinical care, emerging FDA regulations and policies surrounding this technology, and clinical effectiveness studies and/or evaluation across multiple clinical settings.
The major advantages of learning skills in a simulated environment are that each procedure can be practiced repeatedly until the proficiency has been achieved. Most importantly, because the procedure is performed using simulated, virtual, or standardized patients, no real clinical harm is done when the user has a procedural or judgmental error. As part of SimLEARN, the Simulation Outreach Network (SON) assists staff to determine what objectives the simulation program will meet. In addition, the steps for developing the simulation program will be discussed. Contact SON at vhasimlearnson@va.gov Many academic and non-academic organizations offer training in clinical simulation education principles and simulation technologies. You may wish to research options through the Society for Simulation in Healthcare, contacting your affiliate, contacting key accreditation organizations (e.g., ACS, ASA, etc.) or other colleagues involved in simulation education and training. SimLEARN’s link is https://www.simlearn.va.gov/SIMLEARN/curricula_simlearn.asp The key question to ask yourself is whether you are interested in the key principles of simulation education or whether you are more interested in principles in training of a particular type of scenario. Certainly, starting with the principles of Introduction to Clinical Simulation would be foundational to your program. The particular scenario specialization at your medical center should then be driven by your clinical education priorities in which simulation is a preferred education modality. You should send an email outlining your interests and providing any marketing information you have available to VASimLEARNGeneralInformation@va.gov. SimLEARN staff will contact you for further information.
SimLEARN champions have been identified by each VISN. The list can be found here: Their role is to:
For VA employees: there is an internal listing of Local Facility (Simulation) Leads found that is routinely updated. The list can be found here: 2. How to be a simulation learner or instructor? To become a simulation learner or instructor: SimLEARN Innovation Cells for Education (SLICE) SimLEARN Virtual Academy (SVA) SimLEARN Outreach Network (SON) - After clickling the above SON link, informaiton is located under the Field-Based Simulation Experiences. According to the Society for Simulation Healthcare Simulation Dictionary, the following can be found here: https://www.ssih.org/Portals/48/sim-dictionary-2_1.pdf - p.13 Debrief/Debriefing: To conduct a session after a simulation event where educators/instructors/facilitators and learners re-examine the simulation experience for the purpose of moving toward assimilation and accommodation of learning to future situations (Johnson-Russell & Bailey, 2010; National League for Nursing - Simulation Innovation Resource Center, 2013); debriefing should foster the development of clinical judgment and critical thinking skills (Johnson-Russell & Bailey, 2010).
Emergent, complex medical events are nearly always managed by multidisciplinary teams. Typically, problems stem from human factors errors such as failure to plan, failure to cross monitor actions of team members, poorly designed work processes, fixation, etc. During a crisis, care givers' physiology changes and their ability to process information is affected. Deliberate practice is critical to the development of highly functioning teams and optimizing clinical outcomes. 3. Curriculum for individual practitioners and for team-based learning Topics in curricula: How will the priorities for clinical topics be established? The priorities will be driven by consideration of a number of factors, including (but not limited to):
Simulation modalities typically considered to support curricula include:
The modality used will depend on the clinical topic addressed in the curricula. The intent is to use the most appropriate and effective modality and can include a blend of simulation and non-simulation approaches.
Your input is welcome and invited. This can be as simple as a thoughtful email to VASimLEARNGeneralInformation@va.gov. Note that the most helpful recommendations are those that include information about:
This information will be reviewed by the SimLEARN Education Committee and SimLEARN staff as they establish priorities for the program. The SimLEARN Education Committee (SEC) is the gathering of SimLEARN leadership. Program Managers, Simulation and Education Technicians, and designated faculty and staff to review, discuss, and vote on potential new course offerings, SLICE applications, and collaborative courses and/or training. This process allows leaders from other VA locations, course directors, and Simulation Champions an opportunity to address the SEC to be a partner in simulation with SimLEARN. 4. General questions about this website Edits & errors: Who do I alert if I find an error in the text or a technical problem with the SimLEARN website? Thank you for alerting us to the problem. Contact Us No, our website does not offer that option. Newsletter articles are published quarterly and e-mail notifications are sent to each subscriber when a new newsletter is published. To obtain the latest news about SimLEARN, please visit the VHA SimLEARN Home page. If you would like additional information concerning a particular subject matter, please e-mail VASimLEARNGeneralInformation@va.gov. Yes. Though some of the resources on the site are naturally VA-specific, the main body of information is available to everyone. For questions about any course (other than TNCC) and how to register, please contact us at: VHASimLEARNNSCSupport@va.gov For more information or to register for TNCC only, please e-mail: VHASimLEARNTNCCregistration@va.gov
Clinical Faculty VHASimLEARNClinicalFaculty@va.gov Course Support VHASimLEARNNSCSupport@va.gov Simulation Technician Mentorship VHASimLEARNSIMTECHMentorship@va.gov Simulation Technicians VHASimLEARNSimTechs@va.gov TNCC VHASimLEARNTNCCregistration@va.gov REdI VHASimLEARMAskREdI@va.gov For General Public Contact Us Where can I go to find free resources for simulation? For Internal VA Employees SimLEARN Virtual Academy (SVA) For General Public Contact Us Who receives my email when I click on the “Contact Us” link? Select SimLEARN employee will send your email to the appropriate SimLEARN staff to answer your question. |