The Power of Simulation
In this blog, Orly Simkin discusses the use of Simulations as a practical, experiential method for training in non-technical skills and applying veterinary Human Factors to common veterinary emergency scenarios.
Why consider Vetled Veterinary Simulation Training for your Vet Team?
Have you ever attended veterinary CPD training which you found interesting but forgot most of the lecture within a few weeks of attending?
Have you ever found your mind drifting off in the middle of an interesting training session?
You are not alone. It is difficult to remember something, no matter how interesting or relevant it is, if you don’t put that knowledge into practice.
It’s difficult to remain focused on a lecture when you are passively listening and not needing to engage with the content.
That’s where Vetled Simulation Training is different. You get the opportunity to experience and experiment with Veterinary Human Factors as part of the training.
How does Vetled’s Veterinary Simulation Training work?
Simulations are about creating a mental model or movie that your mind can come back to when it needs to.
Mental models work along these lines:
Think of a lemon.
Imagine its bright yellow skin.
Visualise yourself slicing it in half. A few drops of lemon juice burst out as your knife makes its clean incision and the perfume of fresh citrus infuses the air.
Now picture yourself firmly squeezing your half lemon over a teaspoon. You watch as the pale, cloudy liquid quickly fills the spoon.
Imagine putting the teaspoonful of lemon juice in your mouth. Your eyes water as the sour flavour hits the sides of your tongue and mouth.
None of this was real.
Yet, you very likely experienced the exact same sensations as if you had sliced a real lemon and tasted its juice. Maybe your eyes really did water.
Our minds have replayed a scenario- a mental movie- we have previously experienced as if we were currently in it.
That is the power of simulation.
At Vetled we use immersive simulations to create the experience of being involved in clinical scenarios.
You experience similar levels of stress as you would when dealing with the real scenario in practice and this allows your mind to ‘bookmark’ how you dealt with the experience for future reference.
What areas are covered with this non-clinical veterinary CPD?
Veterinary professionals learn how to develop their leadership and communication skills by playing out clinical scenes that intentionally test their situational awareness, decision-making under pressure and their ability to create shared meaning so that safe patient care can be more reliably delivered.
Our Vetled trainers provide a safe environment for learning and experimenting with a variety of communication tools and techniques used in other safety critical industries including human medicine and aviation.
Learners are then encouraged to reflect on their experience of the simulation together and unpick how the scene unfolded, what they did well and what could be done differently next time.
All of this builds that mental movie- something that can be replayed and accessed when faced with the real scenario back in practice.
Is Vetled Simulation Training only for new graduates?
Vetled are proud to work with a number of veterinary groups to support their new graduate programs, and this is part of Vetled’s training for new graduate vets. However, all veterinary professionals can benefit from this type of training because it is an opportunity to practice those non-clinical skills that make a critical difference to patient safety and team cohesion.
When was the last time your team worked together to pre-empt a critical case? When was the last time your team co-ordinated their joint response prior to a significant event occurring?
Visit www.vetled.co.uk or email info@vetled.co.uk for an informal chat to see how simulations can positively impact your team. Whether you work with new or recent graduates that you'd like to support, or you're an individual looking to bring the power of simulations training to your team, we have something for you.
Our next open simulations course Supporting Your Team to Perform Under Pressure starts on 11th September at 10am! - Book your place here.
