EDUCATION:
Northwestern currently supports several academic programs in simulation. These programs
have produced critical knowledge as to the best practices for simulation-based medical
education. At the center for Simulation Technology and Immersive Learning, we strive
to ensure a diverse and engaging curriculum. Our faculty create experiential training
events from actual practice, using the outstanding resources of our medical library
for up-to-date instructional materials. Expert comprehensive debriefing sessions
improve students’ retention and assessment metrics help assure a standard of knowledge.
Successful simulation education relies upon two basic principles:
deliberate practice (focused and repetitive practice to gain expertise)
and
expert feedback (constructive criticism from an experienced coach).
In the simulation laboratory, we model the complex environment in which interdisciplinary
teams work. The simulators provide the necessary context for patient care events.
In the hospital (in situ) we use complex immersive simulations to advance learning
for interdisciplinary teams. The faculty are able to not only assess the student’s
individual competencies but also the non-technical skills of the entire team, and
assess strengths and weaknesses of systems.
Instructorship:
Northwestern University’s Feinberg School of Medicine is currently accepting applications
for its Simulation Instructorship. This program is offered through Simulation Technology
and Immersive Learning (simulation.northwestern.edu) at Northwestern. Our instructorship
began in July 2009 and differs from classical fellowships in the following ways;
trainees are new graduates from U.S residency programs who commit to a two-year
faculty position, learn by doing within instructional programs in simulation-based
medical education across specialties, while pursuing a Masters Degree in appropriate
relevant educational fields. This is a proven environment for the achievement of
competency in this complex field. Instructors train under the guidance of
Dr. John Vozenilek,
a leader in simulation nationally.
Northwestern University has a long history of top-tier scholarship in simulation-based
medical education and patient safety instruction. Recently, a state of the art facility
was completed, adding 7000 square feet of high fidelity simulation and innovations
spaces onto the existing assets for high tech learning and assessment. In addition
to the traditional simulation modalities of laboratory based education using high
fidelity mannequins and task trainers, instructors will engage in in-situ simulation
as both a teaching tool as well as a mechanism to improve patient safety.
Instructors are expected to be clinically active during their appointment within
this program, but will have substantial protected time to attend didactic sessions,
participate in research, and teach using immersive technologies within a networked
learning environment. Substantial opportunities for new curriculum development,
assessment development, and academic presentations are present. Instructors will
be afforded opportunities to teach workshops at local, regional, and national conferences,
to contribute to research, and to develop a unique research program.
For more details about Northwestern Simulation, please visit simulation.northwestern.edu,
email simulation@northwestern.edu or call 312 503 7700.
