2008 Woodie Awards
Video related to this article is available below.Issue date: 2/27/08 Section: News
Before 'sim man,' med schools taught with old-school techniques
Emily Garrett
"I've never tried this before" is the last thing you want a doctor to say to you. However, there is a first time for everything, and medical procedures are no exception.
Fortunately, Penn's School of Medicine uses advanced technology to enable students to practice procedures on mannequins that can simulate complex surgical procedures.
Though this simulation technology is relatively new and is expanding with the opening of the Measey Simulation Suite in June, some sort of hands-on practice is already a standard for medical students.
Prior to 1997, when Penn started using advanced simulation in its medical curriculum, students had to gain experience in less-sophisticated ways.
Before complex full-body simulation men were available, medical students used task trainers, like arm models, to practice routine procedures such as drawing blood and administering IV's. Some of these task trainers are still in use today.
Using task trainers allows students to practice ordinary procedures that are performed on a regular basis.
"A patient should not need to worry if the doctor is going to hit the vein on the first try," said Neal Gauger, a simulation specialist at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.
Another simulation technique still used at the School of Medicine is the use of real people, known as standardized patients, who are trained to act out symptoms and scenarios that the students may see in practice.
"About three-fourths of the standardized patients are actors and actresses who work at night and prefer simulating to waiting tables during the day," said Gail Morrison, the vice dean for education at the Medical School.
Standardized patients are a particularly useful tool because not only can they act out symptoms of a disease, but they can also help train students in the more emotionally challenging aspects of medical care.
Situations like breaking bad news, talking with sexually and physically abused victims and dealing with angry patients are a few situations that standardized patients act out.
Fortunately, Penn's School of Medicine uses advanced technology to enable students to practice procedures on mannequins that can simulate complex surgical procedures.
Though this simulation technology is relatively new and is expanding with the opening of the Measey Simulation Suite in June, some sort of hands-on practice is already a standard for medical students.
Prior to 1997, when Penn started using advanced simulation in its medical curriculum, students had to gain experience in less-sophisticated ways.
Before complex full-body simulation men were available, medical students used task trainers, like arm models, to practice routine procedures such as drawing blood and administering IV's. Some of these task trainers are still in use today.
Using task trainers allows students to practice ordinary procedures that are performed on a regular basis.
"A patient should not need to worry if the doctor is going to hit the vein on the first try," said Neal Gauger, a simulation specialist at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania.
Another simulation technique still used at the School of Medicine is the use of real people, known as standardized patients, who are trained to act out symptoms and scenarios that the students may see in practice.
"About three-fourths of the standardized patients are actors and actresses who work at night and prefer simulating to waiting tables during the day," said Gail Morrison, the vice dean for education at the Medical School.
Standardized patients are a particularly useful tool because not only can they act out symptoms of a disease, but they can also help train students in the more emotionally challenging aspects of medical care.
Situations like breaking bad news, talking with sexually and physically abused victims and dealing with angry patients are a few situations that standardized patients act out.
Be the first to comment on this story