Training Programs

The potential applications of medical simulation are expanding dramatically as research demonstrates the value of this unique training tool. The appeal of reproducible enactments embodying critical, stressful real-life situations, while eliminating the risk of harm to patients or staff, is clear in our increasingly patient-safety-conscious medical community:

• Simulation can be used to improve clinical decision- making and psychomotor skills (e.g., airway management, trauma resuscitation).
• Simulation reduces medical error through improved teamwork.
• Scenarios can be created to expose medical professionals to known error-producing conditions or to rare but critical clinical situations that may require specialized training.
• Educators can ensure a reproducible curriculum for all trainees.
• Training can be conducted in a setting that minimizes time pressures present in the clinical environment.

Selected Course Offerings Include:

Teamwork Training: MedTeams

The Brown University Health Medical Simulation Center has extensive and ongoing experience in multidisciplinary teamwork training with the following departments:

• Emergency medicine/Pediatric emergency medicine

• Internal medicine

• Obstetrics/gynecology (labor and delivery, anesthesia, nursing)

• Pediatrics

• Radiology

Learn more about MedTeams

Acute Care Medical Simulations

Integrated into GME programs and continuously updated, a variety of high acuity medical scenarios are regularly conducted to educate and train learners in the care of acutely ill patients.

Advanced Airway Management

Initially developed for emergency medicine residents and fellows, this course is used to teach physicians the principles of emergency airway management. Through hands-on training, participants learn basic and advanced airway skills.

Disaster Preparedness Training (hospital and pre-hospital)

Simulation Training for Emergency Preparedness (STEP) courses offers nuclear, biologic, and chemical (NBC) incident training for hospital-based and emergency medical services personnel in Rhode Island and surrounding regions.

Medical School Curriculum

In collaboration with the Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, clinical correlations and pathophysiology + pharmacology simulation sessions are offered to first and second-year medical students. Simulations for emergency medicine and pediatric emergency medicine electives are offered every month for third- and fourth-year students.

Mobile Critical Care Simulations

Using a modified wireless, battery-operated manikin, our center conducts mobile simulations for the Brown University Health Lifeguard critical care transport service. This EMS training program enables emergency medicine residents and prehospital providers to practice providing medical care in dynamic pre-hospital settings (e.g., residential, outdoors, in ambulance).

Pediatric Acute Airway Management and Teamwork Training

The goal of this training is to improve the quality and safety of care provided to critically ill children. This training was developed for residents and is currently used to teach physicians skilled airway and crisis management.

Emergency Ultrasound Simulation (EU/S) Course

This focused course, integrating simulated ultrasonographic findings with manikin-based simulation scenarios to help trainees apply bedside sonography in real-time to critical patient care decisions, features five high-acuity trauma and medical patients.

SimCode Program

By using portable manikin systems, our center realizes on-site code team training for both Rhode Island Hospital and Hasbro Children's. This program allows hospital personnel to practice the management of emergent patient presentations as well as teamwork behaviors in situ within the hospital floors.

Simulation Consultation Service

Drawing on the expertise of our faculty, Train-the-Trainer courses are offered periodically at our center. Simulation facilitators and staff have provided assistance to regional and national conferences featuring simulation workshops.