simulator

Stony Brook University Department of Anesthesiology

Anesthesiology Simulator

Simulation is now a major component of our residents’ educational experience. There are numerous values to simulation. These include standardization of education, allowing residents to have their medical decisions proceed to a logical conclusion without attending intervention, identification of weaknesses in knowledge base as well as improving technical ability and learning through a kinesthetic teaching process.

Even before simulation became the “hot” item in medical education, our department purchased a full-scale medical simulator and now we have a baby simulator. This simulator effort is headed by Stephen A. Vitkun, M.D., M.B.A., Ph.D. Anesthesiology residents participate in individual teaching sessions; these are concentrated in the CA-1 year. The sessions can be videotaped and are always followed by a debriefing, one of the most valuable components of simulation education.

The Simulation Operating Room After the "OR Fire"

Last year, the Medical School of Stony Brook University Medical Center opened a 4,000 square foot Clinical Skills Center. The Department of Anesthesiology has played a critical role in this Center from its inception. An operating room, complete with a high fidelity mannequin and a realistic setting, makes this an exciting educational experience. This teaching effort is spearheaded by Dr. Christopher Gallagher , author of Simulation in Anesthesia and a member of the ASA’s National Committee on Simulation in Education. Dr. Gallagher has trained a number of our faculty to teach using the simulator. These are generally group sessions. For example, all of the CA-1’s will work together on various scenarios, observing each other as well so that they can learn from each other.

The simulator is used to create rare and dangerous situations that the resident may never see during the course of a residency. Examples include airway fires, malignant hyperthermia, anaphylaxis and the incapacitated surgeon. In addition, more routine types of cases and complications can be taught in the simulator, so the resident can encounter such scenarios as “cannot intubate, cannot ventilate” or serious arrhythmias in a safe environment. They can practice clinical skills such as intubate and placing lines on mannequins instead of “real patients”.

Medical students who undertake clinical rotations within the Department of Anesthesiology are also provided with an opportunity to participate in anesthesia specific simulator scenarios. Furthermore, all Stony Brook medical students have multiple opportunities to learn in the Clinical Skills Center. One of our own faculty, Dr. Peggy Seidman, has developed OSCE’s for teaching basic technical skills to the students. Our faculty and residents volunteer their time to work with Dr. Seidman to administer these OSCE’s to the students.

In summary, our department is at the forefront of simulation education. In a recent survey distributed to our residents, they unanimously voted their simulation experience as the best point of their education. We are looking towards the future and are developing several interesting projects in which simulation will play a critical role.