Sedation training using a human patient simulator

Abstract

High-fidelity simulation uses simulators that combine all of the physiological and pharmacological responses of a human in a manikin. These simulators change and respond to the users and trainees. Using simulators for teaching sedation in the field of gastroenterology unifies all the advantages of manikins. To understand the pharmacological and pharmacodynamical principles of drugs used for sedation in different clinical scenarios, such as cardiopulmonary diseases, a high-fidelity simulator is extremely useful. Respiratory complications and airway problems are the main side effects when using sedatives. To overcome these problems, exercise of precautionary measures are highly demanded to avoid hazards. High-fidelity simulation is increasingly being used for the development of crisis resource management. There are still limitations in using simulators for education and training. At present, applying simulation for teaching is expensive. The start-up costs and the expenses for instructors and technicians are high. Moreover, no direct evidence has demonstrated that simulation training improves actual patient safety outcome and, therefore, a lot of research in this field remains to be done. Even so, confidence is growing in the validity of medical simulation as the training tool of the future. Copyright © 2010 S. Karger AG, Basel.