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Medical Training R O D
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THE ISIMCENTRE IS A STATE-OF-THE-ART MEDICAL TRAINING FACILITY LOCATED AT THE COFFS HARBOUR HEALTH CAMPUS. FOCUS CAUGHT UP WITH THE FACILITY’S MANAGER, ROD PEADON, TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT WHAT THE CENTRE HAS TO OFFER.
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hat is the iSimCentre? The iSimCentre is an interprofessional clinical simulation centre. Located at the Coffs Harbour Health Campus, the centre provides the Mid North Coast with a safe learning environment for all healthcare professionals, whether they are in training or practising clinicians. This centre provides a whole-of-health environment for all disciplines - Medical, Nursing, Midwifery and Allied Health. It can replicate clinical settings to provide an immersive, variable and safe place to learn and practice the care of patients and clients, without risking their health and wellbeing. We have a range of manikins, which are life-sized anatomical human models used for education. They include a 25-week premature baby, a new-born baby, an eight to 12-yearold child, a SimMum which delivers babies, and adult manikins. In addition, we use equipment such as silicone suits and masks. These tools assist healthcare professionals with their learning and improve their experience. Is it a unique facility, or are there others like it? Other centres similar to the Coffs Harbour iSimCentre are located in NSW, Australia and internationally. Our iSimCentre is one
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of the few centres located within a hospital. appointed Manager of Simulation and This allows clinicians easy access to the Learning. training facility, without them having to leave How does the centre help to better train the workplace. It also is integrated within clinicians? the education centre of the hospital. Our Simulation is the gold standard for clinical facilities and equipment allow us education within healthcare. The to stream simulation scenarios iSimCentre is state-of-the-art in to the next room, the next its technology and training hospital, interstate or techniques. It has become I’ve worked internationally. We are a known and respected in health for also able to transport centre within Australia, many years. My our equipment and attracting clinicians advice to anyo ne expertise through the from interstate to thinking of a Local Health District, attend training th career as a heal the state or the and educational to is professional country. opportunities. With go for it. ” The iSimCentre has well-educated instructors provided training to and state-of-the art healthcare professionals in equipment, clinicians don’t other parts of NSW, the Northern need to travel to metropolitan Territory, Western Australia, South centres to receive world-class training Australia and Queensland. from experts in their respective fields. Why was it built in Coffs? The iSimCentre does not just focus on The Mid North Coast Local Health District clinical skills. It also focuses on team work, successfully applied for a Federal Government communication and group interactions. These grant in 2011 to establish the centre. A non-technical skills are paramount to patient decision was made to locate the service at safety and are the cornerstone to improving the Coffs Harbour Health Campus, with a the patient experience. view to supporting health professionals from What advice would you have for throughout the entire Health District. someone who is thinking about a career What was your role in its development? in health? I project managed the design and I’ve worked in health for many years. My commissioning of the centre and was then advice to anyone thinking of a career as a
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health professional is to go for it. With innovation such a hot topic at the moment, do you see change occurring in the way that nurses are trained? Education is a dynamic environment. Simulation is not just about the technology of the manikins or equipment; simulation provides the stimulation for a conversation, resulting in an educational experience involving extensive reflective learning. The use of simulation is not limited to just educating the workforce, but testing the environment and equipment within it. One innovative use of these environments is to test equipment prior to using it in the care of real patients. This provides a safe testing ground and better outcomes for the patients. Testing new facilities, new beds or new monitoring equipment ensures that healthcare is safer for patients. What are your hopes for the future of the centre? I hope the centre continues to grow and influence the care and outcomes for patients throughout the Mid North Coast. I hope it continues to provide an environment that allows participants the opportunity to make mistakes, learn from them and have experiences that will assist them to provide high quality, evidence-based practice when caring for patients and clients. Thanks Rod.