Simulation technology for skills training and competency assessment in medical education.
Medical education during the past decade has witnessed a significant increase in the use of simulation technology for teaching and assessment. Contributing factors include: changes in health care delivery and academic environments that limit patient availability as educational opportunities; worldwide attention focused on the problem of medical errors and the need to improve patient safety; and the paradigm shift to outcomes-based education with its requirements for assessment and demonstration of competence. The use of simulators addresses many of these issues: they can be readily available at any time and can reproduce a wide variety of clinical conditions on demand. In lieu of the customary (and arguably unethical) system, whereby novices carry out the practice required to master various techniques--including invasive procedures--on real patients, simulation-based education allows trainees to hone their skills in a risk-free environment. Evaluators can also use simulators for reliable assessments of competence in multiple domains. For those readers less familiar with medical simulators, this article aims to provide a brief overview of these educational innovations and their uses; for decision makers in medical education, we hope to broaden awareness of the significant potential of these new technologies for improving physician training and assessment, with a resultant positive impact on patient safety and health care outcomes.
Scalese
Ross J
RJ
Gordon Center for Research in Medical Education, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, P.O. Box 016960 (D-41), Miami, FL 33101, USA. rscalese@med.miami.edu
Obeso
Vivian T
VT
Issenberg
S Barry
SB
D000328:Adult; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003198:Computer Simulation; D004502:Education, Medical, Continuing / Q000379:methods*; D004521:Educational Measurement; D018961:Educational Technology / Q000295:instrumentation*; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D017145:Models, Educational; D016544:Patient Simulation; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013663:Teaching; D014481:United States