The West Virginia University Health Sciences David and Jo Ann Shaw Center for Simulation Training and Education for Patient Safety (STEPS) provides a safe and supportive environment for deliberate practice of clinical skills by students, faculty and practitioners alike.
Earlier this month, 13 healthcare educators and practitioners from across the region participated in the Simulation Certificate Program, a three-day curriculum designed for individuals with an interest in quality teaching with simulation. Established in 2017, the program provides a certificate and continuing education credits for physicians and nurses.
Through the certificate program, participants learn the components and modalities of simulation and then apply techniques of simulation education through workshops and scenarios. Participants create and implement multiple simulation scenarios with guidance and feedback from simulation experts and learn about manikin technology, hybrid simulation experiences and the pre-brief and debrief processes.
New this semester, STEPS faculty developed a one-day simulation operations workshop for participants ahead of the level I, II and III sessions. The workshop provided in-depth information about simulation technologies and hands-on training in moulage techniques.
“The SimOps session was created to meet the need of people who work behind the scenes on technical aspects of simulation,” said Lee Ann Miller, assistant director of education. “We outlined a full day of content related to running manikins including troubleshooting networks and creating realism with moulage, as well as more advanced topics like hybrid teaching and virtual reality. It was very well received by the participants.”
Following the on-campus experience, participants expressed a deeper appreciation for teaching with simulation and the diverse application in healthcare education.
This activity is approved for continuing education credits for physicians, nurses and pharmacists, if requested.
The next opportunity to complete the Simulation Certificate Program will be during the WVU Health Sciences Faculty Development Program’s 20th annual Teaching Scholars Summer Institute. The virtual institute will take place June 3-5, and the in-person simulation program will follow June 6-7 on the Health Sciences Campus in Morgantown. Attendees must register for the Teaching Scholars Institute in order to complete the Simulation Certificate Program. A full schedule of events is available online.
Photo at Top: Participants in the WVU Health Sciences Simulation Certificate Program complete a simulation scenario in the David and Jo Ann Shaw Center for Simulation Training and Education for Patient Safety (STEPS).
