Medical simulation Course helps demonstrate sound surgical practice using computer simulations on dummies
A workshop titled "Medical Simulation for Surgical Treatment Soundness" was held at Al Mafraq Hospital recently in cooperation with the Swedish Medical Simulation Company, in the presence of a great number of consultant physicians and surgical specialists from Mafraq Hospital.
Al Mafraq Hospital is part of the SEHA HealthSystem and is owned and operated by Abu Dhabi Health Services Company (SEHA). It is managed by Bumrungrad International, one of the most respected hospital managers in Asia.
The workshop targeted general surgeons, gynecologists, radiologists, cardiologists and hospital directors. The workshop focused on a number of significant points, including an introduction to medical simulation and its role in training, skills acquisition and continuous learning and the role of simulation in the field of science.
The workshop used computer simulation models and patient "dummies" to demonstrate different surgical techniques and problems sometimes encountered in routine as well as complex procedures. These can include unanticipated bleeding, discovery of other issues other than those originally diagnosed or negative patient reactions during a procedure. Just as professional pilots train in computer simulators, physicians can enhance their skills in surgical simulations.
Mr. John R Nickens, Chief Executive Officer of Al Mafraq Hospital said "We are always searching for ways to help our medical staff learn more and keep abreast of the latest techniques in medicine. Continuous medicaleducation programs are made available in all disciplines to enhance doctor's knowledge and develop the medical staff at all levels. Events such as these provide us opportunities to bring in new learning tools that ultimately benefit our patients by assuring our medical staff has the latest tools and techniques available internationally.
Bumrungrad International, as part of its management agreement with SEHA provides not only professional hospitals management services but knowledge transfer programs such as the simulation course. In addition, Bumrungrad brings in notable physician consultants to demonstrate cutting edge techniques and the state-of-the-art medical equipment.
Dr. Mohamed Yaman, Chief Medical Officer for Al Mafraq said, "Surgical simulation is a learning tool used to imitate real life situations using computer modeling and patient dummies. The system is programmed to set up a situation that a surgeon may encounter in a procedure. The situations can be simple or complex. The simulation allows the physician to gain experience in all aspects of any given procedure from first incision to closing to dealing with unusual bleeding. All of this can be experienced on either the patient dummy or on computer software. Just like a pilot in a simulator, anyone from a consultant physician to medical student can sharpen their skills or gain experience in a procedure before treating a real patient.
The workshop was opened by Dr. Abdul Kareem Al Fahim, Head of General Surgery at Al Mafraq Hospital and a Consultant Surgeon on staff. He gave a brief history of Al Mafraq Hospital since it opened in 1983 and then highlighted the hospital's role in multi-disciplinary medicine, with its strong focus on surgerical specialties. He added that the hospital receives about 20,000 inpatients a year and performs more than 35 surgical operations per day..
Dr. Al Fahim stressed the importance of simulation in sharpening skills and qualifying medical staff, especially since the Hospital is a recognized trauma center and receives a large number of road accident victims with minor, medium and major traumatic injuries.
Attendees saw demonstrated simulations in endoscopy and cardiac catheterization using simulations of the latest medical equipment. The workshop also included a practical training for Al Mafraq Hospital specialists and physicians on the Lap Sim and Vist-C equipment, suture and endovascular simulators for medical professionals. Both are widely in use for training and endorsed in many international studies.
Both apparatuses cover the basic skills of endoscopic operations, allowing the trainees to learn and practice the necessary skills of any surgeon. The training begins with simple steps in endoscopic stitching. The cholecystoscope is an accurate simulation of the endoscope cholecystectomy or removal of a gall bladder, where the cholecystic channel and artery are secured while the gallbladder is separated from the liver. All the steps are realistic and simulate techniques using the various surgical tools.
There was also a demonstration using laparoscopic surgery in gynecology. This equipment simulates four different surgical operationsincluding canal blockage and re-opening and the most difficult, ligation of a uterine lymphoma. Several other simulations are possible using other devices.
The company also previewed new medical simulation software for reading and reviewing CT scans. It simulates patient anatomical structures prior to surgery providing the surgeon an increased level of confidence prior to the actual operation.
As a matter of policy, Al Mafraq Hospital prides itself as a teaching center and strives to acquire all such cutting edge learning technology for its staff.
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© Press Release 2010
