I am so desperate

[dbarber]

I have inherited ECS adult, ped and infant. I had a quick train over a year ago that I only learned how bad I need help. I had no space for the simulators to be set up and now I have space and am expected to begin simulation in a few weeks. I have been denied formal training due to lack of finances so I have visited places and observed but no one has had free time to just teach me how to "simulate" simulation. At this point I am considering resignation. How can people who are not by nature techno inclined just start simulation on this ECS? I can follow my diagrams and hook it up but then I am just brain dead. Can anyone help me?

[wwilkinson]

I am a Clinical Educator with METI and would be more than happy to discuss your frustrations and training needs. Please let me know what facility you are at and how to contact you.

Wendy Jo
Clinical Educator, METI

[JohnDavanzo]

Where are you located? There is a possability that me or my team could help if you are close (Michigan).

Thanks,
John

[vkozme]

Hi,
I know what you mean. If you are around New Orleans, please feel free to stop by, and I would be happy to share my knowledge with you.
Also, probably, you need to structure your knowledge a little bit more.

First, for each case you need to have a clear picture of who you will be teaching and what will be your learning objectives.

Second, you need to learn about physiology of a medical condition you want to simulate because ECS and HPS simulate physiologic processes instead of generating vital signs directly. It is both a blessing and a curse of METI. The bad is that this has a learning curve, and the good is that this software has a tremendous potential for scripting and automation. So, do your research on physiologic processes of a given medical condition.

Third, you need to program both physiology of the disease and how the simulator will respond to the trainee's intervention. This will require some algorithmic thinking. Basically, at this point you will need to implement in the code those processes that occur in real life. Actually, it is not very difficult to do if some one gives you a jump start.

Good luck - and I believe you will progress from frustration and despair to the excitement and satisfaction.
Val
----
Valeriy Kozmenko, MD
Director, Human Patient Simulation Lab
Assistant Professor of Clinical Anesthesiology
LSU HSC School of Medicine
2020 Gravier St
New Orleans, LA 70112

office 504.568.2134
Blackberry 504.234.4347
eVoice 567.661.3374
eFax 509.267.1948