Simulator Training

Traditional training techniques expose learners to hands on patient care often at early stages in their careers. The early learner poses an increased risk of errors leading to harm to the patient unless close supervision is continually present. The simulator allows use of an interactive system to teach both psychomotor skills and crisis resource management before the student actually cares for a patient.

Certain patient situations are not common and therefore a trainee rarely gains experience in managing unusual problems. Simulators can dynamically and visually illustrate concepts that have traditionally been perceived by students to be theoretical or difficult to conceptualize, such as intrapulmonary shunting, uptake and distribution of inhaled anesthetics, and invasive hemodynamic monitoring techniques. With simulators, learners can practice unusual events repetitively and try different interventions to achieve the best outcome.

The nature of the practice at LAC+USC Medical Center is different from practices at the other private USC facilities but the simulator can take actual cases from each facility so students gain experience in various types of patients and approaches. None of the other USC hospitals currently have a simulator of this type. A large simulator menu already exists for teaching purposes, but instructors can develop scenarios written from real life cases such as those complex cases done at Norris and University Hospitals which are not performed at LAC+USC Medical Center.

This simulator will not only be used to teach but will be used as an examination tool. It will thus assist in judging job performance of various levels of health care workers. Students will not be allowed to advance until they have adequately performed at a given level. Simulator accomplishments combined with clinical performance will constitute an enhanced evaluation over that which is currently available.

Several LAC+USC Medical Center faculty have been involved in the development of a variety of simulators. Dr. Ronald Katz, in the early 60's worked with Professor Arnold Lee, an engineer to develop a simulator and related engineering projects. Stephen Steen, M.D. published his article, “A Plea for a SAFER Practice in Medicine” in 1963, and Dr. Stephen Abrahmson, who developed the very first human simulator in the 1960's, did it at USC where he is Professor Emeritus. Dr. Denson, former Professor and Chairman of Anesthesiology at USC, and others worked with Dr. Abrahmson in the early stages. Therefore, we know from experience that simulator learning offers exciting prospects. The availability of such advanced tools will assist the Medical Center to recruit and retain good people in various specialties.