Contextualized simulation and procedural skills: a view from medical education.
Simulation offers an attractive solution to the profound changes affecting traditional approaches to learning clinical procedural skills. Technical developments in physical models and virtual-reality computing make it possible to practice an increasing range of procedures "in vitro." However, too narrow a focus on technical skill can overlook crucial elements of clinical care such as communication and professionalism. Patient-focused simulation (the combination of a simulated patient with an inanimate simulator or item of medical equipment) allows clinical procedures to be practiced and assessed within realistic scenarios that recreate clinical challenges by placing a real person at the center of the encounter. This paper draws on work with human clinical procedures, exploring the parallels with veterinary practice and highlighting possible developments in client-focused simulation. The paper concludes by arguing for closer collaboration and dialogue between the medical and veterinary professions, for the benefit of both.
Kneebone
Roger
R
Department of Biosurgery and Surgical Technology, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, Chancellor's Teaching Centre, St. Mary's Hospital, London, UK. r.kneebone@imperial.ac.uk
Baillie
Sarah
S
D002983:Clinical Competence; D003198:Computer Simulation; D003194:Computer-Assisted Instruction / Q000379:methods*; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D004501:Education, Medical; D004520:Education, Veterinary / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D018794:Problem-Based Learning