SIMULATION MEDICINE...
The Section of Emergency Medicine recently integrated simulation medicine into the emergency medicine residency training program. Simulation medicine is an emerging field that allows residents to experience rare or complicated cases that might not be seen during their time in residency, but could be seen during a lifetime career in emergency medicine. Cardiac monitors, pulse oximeters, and other monitoring devices normally used in the emergency department provide real-time feedback about the condition of simulated patients. The experience is unforgettably real.
The simulation center is a multi-room center that features a one-way mirror to observe and videotape resident interactions with simulation mannequins. Participants are debriefed on their performance during review sessions that immediately follow simulation sessions. This provides an excellent opportunity that is invaluable to resident education.
The Yale simulation medicine program is headed by Dr. Leigh Evans of the Section of Emergency Medicine. Features of the simulation training program for emergency medicine residents include:
- Computer Screen Based curriculum -- senior residents participate in debriefing medical students in clinical decision making computer-based scenarios
- Partial Task Trainer curriculum -- residents gain procedural competency in central line placement, tube thoracostomies, and difficult airway management
- Human Patient Simulator curriculum -- residents manage acutely ill patients with a focus on teamwork and professionalism
Residents not only participate in managing simulated patients, but also learn to create simulation scenarios. This includes the development of learning objectives and critical actions, computer operational skills, debriefing skills, and the use of evaluation tools. Simulation cases are based on "real" patients seen in the Yale-New Haven Emergency Department.
The goals of the simulation medicine program are to:
- Build a core foundation of knowledge and skills for resuscitation of critically ill patients
- Standardize the clinical curriculum so that residents are exposed to rare cases that might not be seen during residency training
- Teach teamwork and crisis management skills that are integral to management of acutely ill patients
- Accelerate the expertise curve so that residents are skilled to manage more critically ill patients earlier in their training
- Build confidence and increase performance with difficult patient situations
- Provide feedback on how to better manage patients
An elective in simulation medicine is offered to residents who wish to gain expertise in operating a simulation medicine program. This can prepare residents with the experience necessary to direct a simulation medicine program in their future careers.
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