New Northwest Centre of Excellence in Health Simulation Launched
Partnership between key health educators will pool resources, improve student learning opportunities, and ultimately lead to better patient care
THUNDER BAY, ON – A major new partnership between key health care educators in the region aims to pool resources and increase training capacity – as well as student access – to training simulations for medical learners of all disciplines throughout northwestern Ontario, ultimately leading to better patient care.
“I’m incredibly excited about the opportunities for this partnership,” said Dr. Jim Madder, President of Confederation College. “We will be improving health care across northwestern Ontario by improving the tools we have to train our health care providers.”
The Northwest Centre of Excellence in Health Simulation (NWCEHS) launched today formalizes existing agreements between several local organizations including Confederation College, Lakehead University, the Northern Ontario School of Medicine (NOSM), the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (TBRHSC), St. Joseph’s Care Group (SJCG), and Superior North Emergency Medical Services.
“St. Joseph’s Care Group is committed to progressive and innovative teaching for our staff. We are pleased to partner in this initiative to improve health care training opportunities, which will ultimately result in enhanced care for the clients we serve,” said Tracy Buckler, President & CEO, St. Joseph’s Care Group.
Confederation College’s advanced Simulation Lab is already available to learners from all partner organizations to help teach paramedics, nurses, medical students, and other health care learners. This “high-fidelity” simulation lab provides a truly life-like interactive experience for students. The lab features a patient room set up like those at the TBRHSC complete with an interactive, computerized “patient”. The patient can be programmed to mimic various ailments and their symptoms, and even vocalize like a real patient might.
The Simulation Lab also allows collaborative, inter-professional learning among students in different areas of health care, a skill that is particularly important in northwestern Ontario.
“The Northwest Centre of Excellence in Health Simulation will provide additional resources for learners at the Northern Ontario School of Medicine to develop essential clinical skills in a safe environment. This project demonstrates the incredible opportunities that exist when community partners collaborate and work together to contribute to the health of people and communities in the North,”said Dr. Roger Strasser, NOSM Dean.
Although high-fidelity equipment of this calibre is extremely useful learning tools for students, it can be expensive and often out of the reach of any one organization. One of the most important aspects of the Northwest Centre of Excellence in Health Simulation (NWCEHS) is that it allows the partners to pool resources to purchase equipment, expand facilities, and develop new programming. Forming this alliance will also increase grant and funding opportunities.
““Advancing world-class care in an academic, research-based, acute care environment creates a strong demand for skills,” said Andrée Robichaud, President and CEO, Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre. “Partnerships like this one help make ours the teaching hospital of choice for over 1,500 learners, ensuring they receive the training they need to provide excellent patient care.”
This agreement further affirms that Lakehead University and Confederation College are committed not only to enhancing the learning experience of our students, but fostering the economic prosperity of northwestern Ontario communities and the development of its workforce,” said Lakehead University President and Vice-Chancellor, Dr. Brian Stevenson,
The Northwest Centre of Excellence in Health Simulation (NWCEHS) will open up new possibilities for other types of collaborative simulations as well, and will not be restricted to high-fidelity simulations.
“Superior North EMS is excited to be part of this collaborative. We are pleased not only that paramedics could see enhanced training but also to be working with partners on training and simulation opportunities,” said Norman Gale, Chief, Superior North Emergency Medical Services.
