The high fidelity human patient simulators at the WISER Institute have a palpable pulse, audible heart, lung, and abdominal sounds, hemodynamic parameters (including non-invasive blood pressure and arterial pressure), in addition to having the capability to speak in response to anticipated questions.
The patient simulators are controlled by the SimMan (Laerdal Corporation, Stavanger, Norway) software, which can be programmed with appropriate physiological responses for a patient with the clinical condition that is entered for the simulated case scenario.
The simulation room is equipped with medical equipment that is commonly found in a hospital room as well as a monitor that displays objective information pertinent to the particular case scenario.
A facilitator trained in the operation of the SimMan software coordinates the simulation session from a control room adjacent to a simulation room equipped with one-way glass or from within the simulation room.
General Overview
The University of Pittsburgh School of Pharmacy and the Peter M. Winter Institute for Simulation Education and Research (WISER) have collaborated since 2004 to integrate simulation based learning utilizing human patient simulators into the School of Pharmacy professional curriculum and University of Pittsburgh Pharmacy Residency Programs.
Human Patient Simulation (HPS) technology is a type of simulation-based learning that provides a unique opportunity for students to apply knowledge of medications and learned principles of pharmacodynamics in a context that realistically mimics patient care, while providing a safe, controlled learning environment. The pharmacodynamics of medications can be demonstrated in real time while simulating patient cases. HPS provides a learning environment where the student is immersed in an interactive situation that encourages development of problem solving and critical thinking skills. In addition, standardized assessment/debriefing capabilities provide an objective means of documenting learner behavior and outcomes.
Simulation Center use in courses
Publications
Abstracts
Grants
Presentations
Ongoing Research
Simulation Center use in courses
PharmD Courses
Pharmacotherapy of Cardiovascular Disease: This P-2 year course offers the student an array of simulation experiences ranging from basic physical assessment to objective structured clinical examinations utilizing human patient simulators. Students visualize cardiovascular disorders, including acute myocardial infarction, shock, and dysrhythmias, practice pharmacotherapy plan development, and, finally, have assessments in the patient care simulated environment.
Acute Care Simulation: This P-3 year course is an elective 3 credit course utilizing the majority of contact time for simulation based education. Students learn from webcasted lectures with active learning throughout each session. After completion of each online acute care topic, the students will practice, perform and be assessed on pharmacotherapy plan development in the acute care setting.
Graduate courses
Teach Me to Teach You: This class introduces graduate pharmacy students to simulation based education techniques and assessment.
Residencies
Medical Emergencies
Critical Care Pharmacy
Cardiology Pharmacy
Interprofessional
Clinical Pharmacology-School of Medicine
Seybert AL, Kobulinsky LR, McKaveney TP. Human patient simulation in a pharmacotherapy course. Am J Pharm Educ. 2008 Apr 15;72(2):37.
Seybert AL, Barton CM. Simulation-based learning to teach blood pressure assessment to doctor of pharmacy students. Am J Pharm Educ. 2007 Jun 15;71(3):48.
Seybert AL, Laughlin KK, Benedict NJ, Barton CM, Rea RS. Pharmacy student response to patient-simulation mannequins to teach performance-based pharmacotherapeutics. Am J Pharm Educ. 2006 Jun 15;70(3):48.
Seybert AL and Murray CA. Assessment of simulation-based learning in fourth-year pharmacy students on an experiential rotation. International Meeting for Simulation in Healthcare, Orlando, FL, January 2007.
Seybert AL and Barton CM. Simulation-based learning to teach blood pressure assessment to doctor of pharmacy students. International Meeting for Simulation in Healthcare, Orlando, FL, January 2007.
Seybert AL, Benedict NJ, Rea RS, and Barton CM. Assessment of pharmacy student response to use of patient simulation mannequins to teach performance-based pharmacotherapeutics: A novel approach. International Meeting for Simulation in Healthcare, Orlando, FL, January 2007
Seybert AL. Innovations in Teaching Competition: Simulation based learning in pharmacy education, American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy Annual Meeting, Orlando, FL, July 2007.
Ford DG, Seybert AL, Kane-Gill SL. Effects of simulation-based learning versus traditional didactic lecturing on medication administration errors in the intensive care unit. 8th Annual International Meeting on Simulation in Healthcare, San Diego, CA, January 2008.
“Simulation Based Learning and Online Learning to Enhance Problem Solving Skills in Acute Care Pharmacotherapy.” University of Pittsburgh Provost’s Advisory Council on Instructional Excellence Innovation in Education Award, 2008, Principal Investigator: Amy Seybert.
Seybert AL. Simulation in Pharmacy Education: Workshop Director. International Meeting for Simulation in Healthcare, Society for Simulation in Healthcare. January 2007, Invited presentation. Orlando, FL, January 2007.
Introducing Human Patient Simulation to Pharmacy, 2008 ASHP Midyear Clinical Meeting, Orlando, Fl, Tuesday, December 9, 2008, 9-11am
Assessment in Simulation Education, The 2008 Assessment Institute
Planning and Institutional Improvement, 75 minute workshop, October 2008
Simulation Based Learning and Online Learning to Enhance Problem Solving Skills in Acute Care Pharmacotherapy.
Simulation Based Learning versus Problem Based Learning in Acute Care Pharmacotherapy
Acute Care Advance Pharmacy Practice Experience: Patient Care Simulation
Simulation learning to advance pharmacists’ responsibilities in medical emergency response
Effects of Simulation-Based Learning versus Traditional Didactic Lecturing on Medication Administration Errors in the Intensive Care Unit