As we move into the summer months, there continues to be remarkable momentum across the WISER program, with exciting educational initiatives, scholarly activity, and continued growth of our simulation infrastructure.
One of the highlights of the season was the tremendous success of the simulation sessions held in conjunction with the Safar Symposium. The morning began with an outstanding presentation by Dr. Aaron Calhoun, President of the Society for Simulation in Healthcare, who discussed the work of creating and launching the International Liaison Council on Simulation (ILCOS), a collaborative effort focused on strengthening the scientific and research frameworks that will shape the future of the global simulation community. His presentation set the stage for an engaging series of scholarly discussions and was followed by three outstanding research presentations conducted at, or in combination with, WISER. We thank Dr. Calhoun as well as Dr. Bhavesh Patel, MD, FRCP(C), RDMS from the Mayo Clinic in Arizona, WISER fellow Dr. Advait Kothare, MB, BCH, BAO, and Nurse anesthesia students from the University of Pittsburgh School of Nursing, Eliese Pergi, RN, BSN, CCRN, and Robert J. Rindone, RN, BSN, CCRN for outstanding presentations! The scientific sessions were exceptionally well received, created thoughtful discussion and debate, and reflected the continued maturation of simulation scholarship across our community.
Following the educational sessions, participants were provided a tour of our expanding simulation footprint at WISER, including the newest areas of WISER@Scaife Hall. We are currently putting the finishing touches on Phase II of the facility expansion, which represents a major milestone for experiential learning at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine. This new phase includes fully designed operating rooms, intensive care unit environments, dedicated virtual and augmented reality learning spaces, expanded medical skills laboratories, and an administrative suite that will house both the WISER program and the University of Pittsburgh Standardized Patient Program. The new space reflects our continued commitment to innovation in healthcare education, patient safety, and interprofessional training.
Internationally, Dr. John O’Donnell, Senior Associate Director of WISER, and I, along with collaborating instructors in China, had the opportunity to pilot the newest version of the iSIM Assessment Program in Beijing at Peking Union Medical College Hospital. This newly revised course focuses on helping simulation educators better understand and design assessment systems and tools associated with simulation-based healthcare education. The program explored the complexities of assessment design, rater considerations, and defensible approaches to simulation-based evaluation. The course was extremely well received, and we are excited about the future evolution of this important new offering.
We also recently completed another highly successful iSIM Fundamentals Course hosted at WISER. It is always rewarding to work with simulation educators from diverse disciplines and organizations who are committed to advancing instructional methods in healthcare simulation. The energy and engagement of the participants continue to reinforce the importance of faculty development efforts in our field.
Finally, we bid adieu to Advait “Addy” Kothare, the most recent WISER simulation fellow, who has completed his fellowship and earned a master’s degree in medical education. Addy will assume a leadership role overseeing simulation in the GME office at Kent Hospital as well as working as an Emergency Physician in Rhode Island, and we wish him well!
We remain thankful for our faculty, staff, collaborators, and institutional partners. You represent the foundation of those who continue to advance the WISER mission. What is happening throughout WISER represents not only innovation in healthcare education but also advancement in the quality, safety, and outcomes of healthcare through experiential learning, assessment, and investigation. This, in turn, supports our work to advance the global community of simulation.
Until next time…
Happy Simulating,
Paul E. Phrampus, MD, MBA, FSSH, CHSE, CHSOS
Director, WISER
University of Pittsburgh / UPMC