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Research



The GVM Integrated Simulator
    Simulators are becoming the modern method of obtaining clinical skills in virtual reality prior to applying them in a real setting 14 . This is even more important where mistakes may have major consequences. Flight simulators have been used for decades to maintain aviation safety. Surgical simulators are now being viewed in a similar light where increasing evidence suggests that skills acquired on the simulator are transferred to the ward or operating room 5, 6, 8- 13.

    Knowledge decay occurs when skills acquired are not put into regular use. Courses are usually held at the start of a junior health professional’s clinical career, and there often is no ongoing experience in these skills because of the constant rotation of junior staff. The long gaps between utilizing the skills also results in confidence decay 2.

    There is therefore a need to continue the ongoing experience to maintain these skills and confidence levels. Simulators address this need and facilitate the retention of procedural skills and confidence 7.

    The tried and tested method of using text, video and anatomy is still fundamental in acquiring medical and nursing skills 15- 19 and should not be abandoned.

    Integration of these teaching methods is an excellent way to maximize the skills acquired 3. The Integrated Simulator (IS) from Go Virtual Medical achieves this by combining instructional text, applied anatomy, an instructional narrative video and a simulator relating to medical and nursing procedures. The IS has face, content and construct validity for basic surgical trainees and is a useful pre-learning tool prior to clinical training 1 . It also has the additional benefit of being able to measure knowledge and performance in a logbook. The easy availability of the IS allows users to repeatedly practice their skills in virtual reality, thus minimizing the decay of knowledge and confidence that occurs amongst junior staff. This knowledge survives the barriers between international curricula 4.

Integrated Simulator
Simulation
Video
Anatomy
 
Copyright: Go Virtual Medical Ltd. 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008
NZ Patent No 542066, international (PCT) patent application no PCT/NZ2006/00215