LA CROSSE, Wis. (WEAU) – Emplify Health by Gundersen hosted an open house event at their Integrated Center for Education’s simulation lab
The event is in celebration of Healthcare Simulation Week, which is creating new ways to train students learning about careers in healthcare.
“Simulation essentially is the realism that we bring into education. What we do here at Emplify health is use high fidelity mannequins. We use standardized patients that can be actors as a patient, as a provider. We also have skills trainers,” says Integrated Center of Education manager Carley Buisman.
Buisman explains that simulation plays a significant role for healthcare workers because it’s key in their training.
“Instead of them practicing on a real patient, or on a colleague if it’s communication skills, they can practice in an environment that is safe and reliable and where they can get feedback. What that helps is that they get to practice it before they get to implement it,” says Buisman.
Pharmacist Adam Gregg says simulation also helps team members work together more efficiently.
“Simulation is one of the ways where we can all take a step back and intentionally focus on developing some of those skills and strategies. We work through different simulated examples. Some situations are things that we may see on a regular basis. Some are a lot more infrequent. We try to find and give our learning clinicians an opportunity to practice in that environment,” says Gregg.
From actors to new technology, simulation has been a part of medical history for over a century.
Emplify Health officials say the simulation lab has been a big part in improving education of students. The lab opened in March 2024.