Kirkwood students and faculty put high-level medical training tools through their paces
The patient on the hospital bed appears normal—for the moment. That might change at any time, with labored breathing, twitching–and worse–a distinct possibility.
But for some nursing students at Kirkwood Community College, they can be pretty sure the patient will be back to help them learn when the next class is in session.
The ability to do a health care learning “do-over” is thanks to a group of medical simulators installed in various classrooms on the Cedar Rapids campus. Sometimes given the misnomer “test dummies,” these sophisticated simulated humans can demonstrate a wide variety of ultra-realistic stimuli and symptoms.
Recently a group of Kirkwood students and their instructors put these simulators through a wide variety of field test experiences that proved beneficial for teachers, students and the simulator makers alike. The Kirkwood tests involved weeks of monitored participation in the Simulation Learning System of Netherlands-based Elsevier, Inc., working in conjunction with Medical Education Technologies, Inc. (METI) of Sarasota, Fla.
The Kirkwood field testing will provide feedback to Elsevier’s educational curriculum development, according to Connie Lee McCall, Nursing faculty member.
“Elsevier is one of the major publishers of health textbooks and a leading developer of teaching tools both in the U.S. and around the world. Kirkwood will receive an honorarium for our documented work with the simulators, plus our results will be cited in future publications on medical simulators. We are honored to be a part of this growing part of the medical teaching field,” McCall said.
Students volunteered to be part of the field testing project, which took place outside scheduled class times. Each student received a current copy of the NCLEX national nursing licensure exam review book. “This is a great resource for them as they prepare for those crucial examinations. It’s a valuable perk for their participation,” McCall added.
This latest health teaching simulator experience is part of a broader initiative to make real-world health care teaching available to more people in Iowa, according to Health Occupations Director Mike McLaughlin. He notes that a major simulation lab is under construction and “on track” to deliver crucial training beginning next year.
“We already have several of the simulators on line and in the classrooms now. When our new simulator lab is completed in mid-2009 we will be able to bring a whole new level of training for area health care professionals. Hundreds of our Health Science students will benefit each year, plus certifications and re-training for our area ambulance and emergency personnel, too. The early support and enthusiasm from the health care industry is very encouraging,” McLaughlin added.
More information on Kirkwood’s medical simulator labs and training is available from McLaughlin by calling (319) 398-4947, or via e-mail: