The literature analysed and the data identified, which are heterogeneous due to different study methodologies, objectives and types of interventions, suggest that human factors applied to emergency situations must deserve great attention and are still under-researched. The proposed briefing and debriefing tool identifies a framework of core competencies to be observed, discussed and assessed with […]

Introduction At maxSIMhealth, we’ve been playing around a lot with the Ultimaker S5 3D-Printers to support our graduate research work, which focuses on the use of additive manufacturing and novel design protocols to create simulation models that strike a balance between cost, functionality, and realism. Along the way, we have picked up a lot of […]

Introduction When Julia and I want to take a break from writing our theses, we both agree that pouring silicone into 3D-printed molds (see our other tip about those) is one of the most satisfying and oddly calming activities at Ontario Tech University. Other than its therapeutic effects on a couple of health sciences graduate […]

Optimizing Crisis Resource Management to Improve Patient Safety and Team Performance helps acute care professionals optimize their crisis resource management skills and those of their team. Its theoretical and practical examples will help you hone your skills in situational awareness, decision-making, verbal communication, task management, leadership and followership, and teamwork. Developed by the Royal College of […]

My first simulation, I took a photo of a lower extremity injury from the internet, printed it in color, and took a pair of pants, blood soaked them and allowed them to dry. Also had a pad under the manikin’s leg that I had soaked in simulated blood and let dry. This was an ER […]

Check out the SimMan Heart Rhythm/Sound Combinations technician cheat sheet, kindly provided by Trevor Snow, Simulation Technologist from Eastern Health. Thanks to SimEd – Simulation Education Resource Portal – for sharing this tip!

What can you contribute to SimEd? Based in Australia, SimEd aims to provide high-quality resources for clinicians, educators, students, technicians and simulated patients who are engaged in simulation-based education and training. Submit: Reviews of equipment/apps/technology Moulage (tips, how to guides and photo examples) How to align learning objectives with simulation Scenarios/scenario writing Tips on running […]

The best simulations don’t happen in isolation – there are activities beforehand and afterwards to ensure knowledge is understood, set expectations, model expert behaviour, and encourage reflection and integration of new learning. Here are some easy-to-use, free, web-based tools to enhance some pre- or post-sim activities. These ideas and reviews of apps are courtesy of […]

The shift from time-based to competency-based curricula for health care professionals is widely underway. Watch this video. The shift from time-based to competency-based curricula for health care professionals is widely underway. With this comes the challenge of assessing the developing competencies of health care students as they gain experience and expertise. This video, from Dr. Farhan Banji of McGill University, published by […]

The International Pediatric Simulation Society (IPSS) offers a free online resource with current and topical lectures on simulation-based education. Looking for a free online resource with current and topical lectures related to simulation-based education? The International Pediatric Simulation Society (IPSS) has a YouTube channel featuring free videos of all the webinars they host. Check these out: Conducting a large […]

Purchase an adult female patient simulator that can function as both a realistic maternity patient & a high-fidelity, non-pregnant female patient, for OB/GYN simulation scenarios. If your simulation centre trains learners in OB/GYN simulation scenarios (or, your center already has a maternal-fetal simulator), heed this smart tip: Purchase an adult female patient simulator that can function as both […]

The best way to learn how to safely apply ultrasound-guided placements is to learn with state-of-the-art simulation trainers. It’s the wave of the future and it’s happening now. Ultrasound-guided placement procedures are increasing in usage by medical professionals on all levels and within various disciplines. In fact, many doctors believe that ultrasound-guided exams may one day replace those performed with the stethoscope. […]

Tips on how to simulate facial burns, burned-off eyebrows, and soot. Smoke inhalation is the leading cause of death in fires. It can cause thermal injury to the upper airway and injury from toxic gases, including carbon monoxide and hydrogen cyanide. Typical external signs of smoke inhalation are facial burns, singed/burned hair, and soot deposits around the […]

It’s not hard to come up with a research idea or question – but is it worth researching? Here are some dead-ends that might surprise you. A recent editorial by Geoff Norman, Editor of Advances in Health Sciences Education, and leading thinker and researcher in healthcare education, provides some guidance. Dr. Norman reflects on 20 […]

It’s easy to create gel effects from common ingredients. Here’s how: Gel effects is a popular medium in medical and casualty simulation. It is a gelatin-based product that is heated and applied to the skin to build three-dimensional wounds, scars, lesions, and sores. Gel effects are sold by many of the major makeup manufacturers (inlcuding […]

In simulations, fragments embedded in wounds should be realistic but lightweight, non-toxic, and without sharp edges. Fragments are produced by explosions, terrorist weapons, and military munitions. In simulations, fragments embedded in wounds should be realistic but lightweight, non-toxic and without sharp edges. I use pieces of plastic plumbing connectors and nylon nuts and bolts as […]

Many brands of stage blood are coloured with FD & C Red #40 food colouring. Here are a few points about non-staining blood. Many brands of stage blood, the kind often used in simulations, are coloured with FD & C Red #40 food colouring. This azo dye has a tendency to stain some types of […]

Looking for quick updates on clinical teaching skills? The Centre for Faculty Development at St. Michael’s Hospital offers free, short video-based modules on key clinical teaching skills. Looking for some quick updates and refreshers on clinical teaching skills? The Centre for Faculty Development at St. Michael’s Hospital offers free, short (15-minute) video-based modules on key […]

A good debrief should be set in a safe and positive environment where the facilitator allows the learners to reflect on their areas of improvement in their knowledge, behaviours, and actions.Debriefing is an incredibly valuable learning component of simulation, but can also be challenging. A good debrief should be set in a safe and positive […]

Always make sure that learning objectives are clearly set first and then create the scenario, to avoid confusion about learning outcomes.Always make sure that learning objectives are clearly set first and then create the scenario. It’s often easy to get caught up in the creative side of things and lose track of your main goal(s). […]

No matter how a simulation goes, the simulation facilitator can always mine the experience for nuggets of educational gold tied into the objectives!No matter how a simulation goes (assuming no death, dismemberment, or mental trauma), the simulation facilitator can always mine the experience for nuggets of educational gold tied into the objectives!

When can parametric tests, which are generally more sensitive and more powerful, be used? Find out! Likert scales are a common way to capture data about respondent’s opinion on surveys. These are items in which a respondent chooses an option from a range of values. For example: One to five or one to seven, ‘never’ […]

Follow these steps to create a stomach for Nasogastric flushing or decompression for a manikin. Here is how. Material required: 14 Fr. Nasogastric tube 1000cc empty IV bag Waterproof tape Lubricant Nasogastric strips Method: Simman 2G (this can also be done on Simman 2G or Nursing Anne); Open chest and disconnect stomach tube from easophagus; […]

All you need is a few materials! Got a hair dryer and some vaseline? Here is the full (and basic!) list of materials you will need: Hair dryer; Red make-up cream paint or powder; Clear cucumber mask; Charcoal powder, dirt, or coffee grounds; and Vaseline in a syringe with needle or blunt catheter tip. Here […]