Virtual Medical Simulation: A Remote Solution for Simulation-Based Education

As we near the end of 2020, one fact has become clear: the coronavirus will follow us into the new year. It’s time for organizations to strategize long-term solutions to enable remote work and remote learning, especially in the healthcare field. We need our new generation of healthcare providers to continue learning, training and growing, now more than ever.

Hands-on, interactive experience is crucial for medical students to practice and improve the skills they need to care for patients. Over the past several years, simulation-based education has been a steadily growing field in Washington, D.C., and worldwide. But with many medical schools, universities and training hospitals implementing remote strategies to keep students and teachers safe, what virtual medical simulation solutions are available for med students to continue their education? Let’s take a look at a fully remote solution that may be right for your organization.

SEE ALSO: What Components Do You Need for a High Fidelity Medical Simulation?

What Is Augmented Patient Simulation?

Augmented patient simulation — also called virtual patient simulation or augmented reality simulation (yes, we know that’s a lot of names to remember) — offers medical students a 100% remote simulation experience. Virtual patient simulations use software programs to create on-screen scenarios where students can perform actions and interact with AI-powered virtual patients. Using the online interface, students can do the same things they would do in a real situation: prescribe and administer medications, check vital signs, perform clinical procedures and engage in conversations with virtual patients.

Like other simulation environments, virtual medical simulation allows students to develop the real-world skills they need in a safe and controlled space. One of the primary benefits of virtual simulation is that instructors can build scenarios that have low occurrence naturally but result in high risks if a student doesn’t have the skills and knowledge to provide care in a real-life situation.

Choosing a Software Program

There are several virtual simulation software programs on the market today. What should your organization and IT team look for to ensure you’re investing in a solution that can meet your needs?

• Collaboration capabilities. Once you’re logged into the simulation program, can an instructor and other students join you? Collaborative capabilities are essential for group training and instructor feedback.
• FERPA-compliant. The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) protects the privacy of student education records. Does the software program have measures to prevent other students from accessing your online tests and training sessions?

Other considerations to keep in mind include:

• Internet speed — does your network have the capacity to run simulation software on a high-speed connection without lagging, glitching and buffering?
• Data storage — can your simulations and tests be saved and reviewed at a later date? Do you understand the issues around using local and cloud storage?
• Security — does your software have firewall protection to protect sensitive data? Does your network allow for uses of VPN (virtual private networks) for remote connections?

Let Level 3 Audiovisual Help You Build a Virtual Simulation Program

Level 3 Audiovisual has years of experience designing, engineering and installing integrated technology systems. Let us help you find the audiovisual, software and IT solutions to build a safe and effective virtual medical simulation system for your medical school, nursing school, training hospital, OR, ER, or another training center. We proudly serve organizations in Washington, D.C., and across the United States. Give us a call or reach out online to set up a consultation.