On January 14th, Zach Read published an article in “Vital Signs”, the UNC Health Care newsletter, discussing the recent completion of the first “Introduction to Medical Simulation” course taught through the School of Medicine.
The course is intended to provide undergraduate and graduate students with an opportunity to to learn about and gain experience in the utilization of simulation technologies and techniques applied throughout medical education curricula on campus.
This past Fall 2015 semester, eight undergraduate pre-healthcare students registered for the course not really knowing what to expect. By the end of the semester they had not only learned new skills like endotrachial intubation, they had assisted numerous activities training actual interprofessional teams within UNC Hospitals.
The course was designed by simulationist Gene Hobbs. Last Spring, Hobbs presented the proposed course to Clinical Skills and Patient Simulation Center (CSPSC) Co-Directors Ms Julie Messina and Dr Benny Joyner. The team took the course to Deans Byerley and Gilliland. With support for launching this new program established, The team began trying to find a departmental home for the course. “The Department of Cell Biology really stepped up by agreeing to host the course” Hobbs said. He added that “without their assistance, this course may still be an idea in an inbox”.
The course will be offered by the team again next Fall and can be found in Connect Carolina under the course number CBIO 400.
UNC has a rich history of simulation in the various professional schools including over 200 publications in the field.