METC Organises Several Events During International Healthcare Simulation Week SimWeek 2022

In order to raise awareness of and promote the importance of simulation-based medical education, Rīga Stradiņš University (RSU) Medical Education Technology Centre (METC) organised SimWeek 2022, a week devoted to healthcare simulation, for the third consecutive year as part of the international Healthcare Simulation Week 2022.

The aim of the event is to promote the integration of simulations as a method in healthcare education in line with good practice standards and international guidelines, thus improving the quality of healthcare and creating a safe environment for both patients and healthcare professionals.

Simulation scenarios in situ at the Pauls Stradiņš Clinical University Hospital and the Riga East University Hospital

During SimWeek, two large-scale in situ simulations involving multiple injuries were organised at the university hospitals, during which medical teams from admission units had to plan the resources they would need, examine the patients, and provide the necessary assistance. Both simulated patients and high-quality mannequins, on which various invasive manipulations can be performed, took on the role of the injured patients. In situ simulation means that the simulation scenario is played out in the actual working environment rather than in a specially designed training room, in this way it is possible to evaluate not only the participants’ skills and cooperation, but also the suitability and availability of the hospital premises and equipment, improving them if necessary.

No to Pain! Game

For the first time, an entertaining educational escape room or quest called No to Pain! was organised as part of the Simulation Week on 13 and 16 September this year at the RSU METC. The goal of the quest was to improve teamwork and strengthen knowledge on the administration of medication for pain relief by solving various puzzles. The activity was aimed at nursing students (in their third year) and medical students (in their fourth year), as well as teaching staff from RSU.

PediatricSimulationGames Team Demonstrations

On 15 September, paediatric simulation demonstrations were held at the RSU METC with the participation of a team of paediatric medical residents who represented Latvia at the international emergency simulation games PediatricSimulationGames 2022 in Italy at the beginning of September. The simulation was streamed online and anyone who was interested had the opportunity to participate in person and also learn about the simulated environment opportunities in paediatrics that the METC offers. The target audience of this event was paediatric students, medical residents, and lecturers.

A simulation-based approach to medical education ensures a safe learning environment where participants learn the skills needed for the profession and engage in dealing with clinical situations, improving both individual performance and teamwork. In a simulated environment, mistakes or shortcomings become an opportunity to learn safely and thus prepare professionally for clinical situations in the actual working environment in medical treatment institutions.

Ieva Šlēziņa, Director of the RSU Medical Education Technology Centre

The RSU METC as a simulation centre provides opportunities for the acquisition and development of skills for doctors, nurses, midwives studying in undergraduate healthcare programmes and medical residents of various specialties, as well as develops and implements professional development programmes for certified specialists in cooperation with professional associations and medical treatment institutions.

For information on events at the RSU METC, follow us on Facebook. If you are interested in visiting the RSU METC simulation rooms, you can infocentrs-mitcrsu[pnkts]lv (sign up for a tour).

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