Page 82 - Journal of Special Operations Medicine - Fall 2017

paramedics, and midwives in rural areas. Parallels can be Conclusion
drawn between rural healthcare professionals and SOF med-
ics: both are expected to perform flawlessly even though The goal of simulation training to maximize its impact is to
certain illnesses, diseases, and surgical procedural skills may remove as many administrative interactions and notional
seldom be performed. SOF medics are expected to properly training inputs with the instructor or role player as possible.
triage, identify, and treat wounded Servicemembers in a timely Although the ultimate medical training is clinical rotations
manner without consistent exposure to such egregious inju- with access to patients, the improved simulation experience
ries. This study demonstrated that there was a correlation be- allows for improved practice of technique, aiding retention in
8
tween the frequency of certain skills and confidence regarding the tactical or austere setting. This is the standard by which
maintenance of these skills; conversely, the more complex the most medics train, thus increasing the importance of improv-
skill or disease state, the more likely respondents reported a ing fidelity of the training experience. Simulation will never re-
need for frequent rehearsal of the skill. 8 place the situational context and complex interactions learned
7
through contact with real patients. However, in the SOF
Research has found that simulation-based workshops, each medical community, it remains the most commonly available
lasting approximately 1 hour and comprising a scenario last- source of training for our medics. Thus, it is incumbent upon
ing 30 minutes, followed by a 15-minute debriefing session trainers to make it as worthwhile and effective as possible to
and 10-minute didactic session covering key teaching points, both support the medic and optimize patient outcome. We be-
are beneficial teaching models. Participants at baseline felt lieve that although the techniques discussed in this article are
the simulation was more valuable for medical teaching when simple and involve low levels of technology, they improve the
compared with traditional-style reviews of course material. fidelity of each exercise and move closer to achieving the de-
5
Anesthesiologists and emergency medicine programs express sired training objectives.
the benefits of simulation training, particularly during critical
and stressful periods of treatment, as well as better adherence Disclosures
to algorithms for performing intubations, resuscitations, and The authors have nothing to disclose.
American Heart Association guidelines in real emergencies. 3,5
References
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5. Kerr B, Hawkins T, Herman R, et al. Feasibility of scenario-
based simulation training versus traditional workshops in
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6. Giuliani M, Gillan C, Wong O, et al. Evaluation of high-
fidelity simulation training in radiation oncology using an
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8. Campbell D, Shepherd I, McGrail M, et al. Procedural skills
The mission of the APOPUS is to advocate for cross- practice and training needs of doctors, nurses, midwives and
trained police officer EMT/paramedics across the paramedics in rural Victoria. Adv Med Educ Pract. 2015;6:
United States. Our advocacy exists in two broad 183–194.
areas. The first is in securing discounted training and
education, travel, equipment and supplies, exhibitions,
competitions and certifications. The second is to foster
professional discourse and communication between
our members by recommending pertinent professional
journals and articles as well as high-quality initial and
sustainment training centers. In doing so, the APOPUS
seeks ultimately to advance both the recognition and
career opportunities of our members in the United
States and abroad.
www.apopus.com

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