UPEI Launches Innovative Medical Simulation Centre for Students

The University of Prince Edward Island (UPEI) has inaugurated a state-of-the-art Clinical Learning and Simulation Centre, designed to enhance the training of future healthcare professionals. This facility allows students to engage in realistic medical scenarios using advanced technology, including high-fidelity manikins that simulate various medical conditions.

Catherine O’Brien, a well-known actor and director from Prince Edward Island, plays a vital role in this initiative. Her journey began in Ontario, where she worked with the University of Toronto, helping to train medical students through acting as a standardized patient. Now, she contributes her expertise at UPEI, aiding students in developing essential skills in a supportive environment.

Bridging Classroom Education and Real-World Experience

At the Clinical Learning and Simulation Centre, students practice interviewing techniques and patient interactions under the guidance of experienced standardized patients like O’Brien. “They will learn how to interview, how to ask the right questions, how to make the patient feel comfortable using empathy,” O’Brien stated during an interview on CBC’s Island Morning.

The centre’s program manager, Paul Charles, emphasized that the facility goes beyond traditional training methods. It replicates real clinical settings, complete with medication carts and vital signs monitors. “We recreate the simulation rooms like clinical hospital rooms, where students can engage with manikins that can breathe, talk, and even experience medical emergencies,” Charles explained. This hands-on approach aims to instill greater confidence and competence in students, ultimately improving patient outcomes and alleviating pressure on the healthcare system.

Expanding Training Opportunities for Healthcare Professionals

The resources available at the simulation centre are not limited to medical students. Healthcare professionals can also utilize the facility to refine their skills. Tammie Muise, the centre’s director, highlighted a new addition: a “simulation rig” designed to bring training into real healthcare environments.

“This trailer, which mimics the interior of an ambulance, allows us to simulate critical situations, such as a stroke or a heart attack, where every second counts,” Muise noted. This initiative equips healthcare workers with the necessary skills to respond effectively during emergencies, enhancing overall patient care.

As UPEI prepares to welcome its inaugural cohort of medical students, O’Brien expressed enthusiasm about her upcoming training sessions with them. “I have a few coming up, which I’m excited to get going with,” she remarked, looking forward to playing a part in shaping the next generation of healthcare professionals.

The opening of the Clinical Learning and Simulation Centre marks a significant milestone in UPEI’s commitment to providing innovative and practical medical education, setting a new standard for training in the region.