Session Information
| Title | Second Life: Innovative Simulation Development...Making it REAL! |
| Presenter(s) | Dana Tschannen, University of Michigan
Michelle Aebersold, University of Michigan |
| Time | Saturday, October 23, 11:30a-12:30p |
| Location | Lake Huron Room |
| Format | Speaker |
| Description | For a significant part of its history, nursing and medicine has used simulation as adjunct for learning (Schiavenato, 2009, Medly & Horne, 2005). The benefits of simulation use in education and improving skill proficiency and knowledge transfer (i.e. classroom to practice) are well established in the literature (Van Sickle, MClusky, Gallagher, & Smith, 2005; Maithel et al., 2006; & Rosenthal et al., 2006). Furthermore, simulation creates an opportunity for 'practice' allowing for mistakes in a safe environment, demonstration of physiological concepts that may be difficult to understand with static learning, and developing critical thinking skills among participants (Parker & Myrick, 2009; Okuda et al, 2009).
Success of simulation in health care has varied, primarily dependent on the effectiveness of the scenario proposed and implementation strategies. According to Jeffries (2005), design features of a well developed simulation include clearly written objectives, fidelity or realism that mimic real life situations, building a level of complexity, providing cues for participants as the simulation progresses, and debriefing during and after the simulation. Faculty at the University of Michigan, School of Nursing have developed a process for scenario/simulation development and implementation. The five step process includes (1) key concept identification, (2) competency and standard mapping, (3) scenario building, (4) debriefing development, and (5) beta testing and refinement (as needed) of the scenario. Over forty-five simulations have been developed using the process described, spanning topics related to communication, healthcare professional handoffs, clinical judgment, acute clinical issues (i.e. asthma, heart disease), and patient safety. Seven scenarios have been developed for use in virtual reality using the platform Second Life, an online 3D virtual, multi-user virtual environment (MUVE) developed by Linden Lab in 2003. Virtual reality is a new adjunct to high fidelity simulation and has offered opportunities to teach larger groups of clinicians in more dynamic environments at a much lower cost. During the proposed presentation, an overview of Second Life, including benefit for use in education and training will be given. The audience members will then be asked to assist in the development of a virtual simulation using the five step process described above. The scenario will focus on communication (a significant root cause of medical error) among the healthcare team. The developed scenario will then be beta tested (with participants from the audience) and a discussion of refinements will follow. In addition, the authors will provide tips for effective simulation implementation based on their experience, which includes running over 200 students through virtual simulations in Second Life. |