Evaluation of SESAM endorsed meeting, Physiology in Simulation 2010

Physiology in Simulation 2010 was a workshop-format conference held at the University of Bristol Applied & Integrated Medical Sciences (AIMS) Centre for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETL), University of Bristol, Bristol, UK on 22/23 March, 2010.

Physiology in Simulation 2010 was organised and hosted by the AIMS CETL, local organization led by Dr Richard Helyer (University of Bristol) with external assistance provided by Dr Stefan Moenk (AQAI Simulationszentrum, Mainz) & Dr Willem van Meurs (INEB, Porto).

The aim of the meeting was presentation and discussion of developments in high-fidelity manikin-based simulation. The emphasis of the meeting was the application of physiological modeling to basic biomedical science and medical education. The format of the meeting favoured informal discussion of topics distilled from suggestions from invited delegates. Short presentations by delegates were followed by discussions between participants.

The main sessions and topics chosen for detailed discussion were:

• Informal presentations by delegates- past, current & future interests in physiological modeling & simulation. Chair Prof Judy Harris.
• Workshop 1: Development and validation of (partially) proprietary models. Session leader Dr Willem van Meurs.
• Workshop 2: Models of models. How to deal with new clinical monitoring and new therapeutic systems? Session leader Dr med Stefan Moenk.
• Workshop 3: Developing the pharmacologic model. Modeling drug interactions and applications to pharmacology teaching. Session leader Dr Joris Broeren.
• Workshop 4: Physiologic models in education: a simulation based curriculum & objective performance evaluation. Session leader Dr Eugene Lloyd.
• Roundup-future directions of high-fidelity simulation.

Interesting topics of the meeting and topics of future interest:

The workshop and other sessions detailed above provided a framework for detailed discussions and identification of areas of interest in the development of high-fidelity simulation.

In the development of high-fidelity simulation the need was identified for improved user interfaces for models of human physiology. To encourage exploration, model improvement and validation, it was suggested that developer interfaces may assist. These could also be used by students at higher levels (advanced undergraduates and postgraduates) to gain new insights and in project work. Further, to allow more exposure to simulation in undergraduate education a user interface for students was proposed. Such models could be software only and web-based, allowing access off-campus. It was suggested that open source frameworks were desirable. The need for collaborative development was emphasized, and that development should be organ based AND education driven. Overall, discussion between model developers, educators and users in the format of this meeting was considered to be very positive.

In research and development using high-fidelity simulation, the discussion centred on the contribution of research modeling to educational (applied) modeling. It was suggested that it could play a role in the modeling of individuals and had value in multi-system modeling (e.g. patient and ventilator). The need for improvement of pharmacological models in current high-fidelity systems was identified, and it was concluded that this should be done in contact with pharmacologists. Renal and acid base modeling were identified as important areas that current systems do not address. In educational application it was agreed that a better definition of the role of simulation in education was required. There was enthusiasm for a simulation based curriculum for undergraduate biomedical sciences and medicine and that this might improve the connection between medical sciences and the clinical world. It was considered that adding modeling to the core physiology (and biomedical sciences) syllabus and that education on medical equipment (monitoring, ventilators, etc.) might be both useful and, importantly, interesting for students. In pharmacology it was suggested that an improved pharmacological model could motivate pharmacologists to teach with the simulator and improve undergraduate engagement, identified as a problem area in teaching this topic.

Future meetings

The group wants to meet again within the next 12 months, in a small focused format with open topics. The meeting’s loose format should be maintained. The group suggested that the meeting should be just for this purpose and not attached to other meetings. Some early offers for hosting the meeting were proposed.

Invited and local delegates were:

• Dr med Stephan Moenk, AQAI Simulationszentrum, Mainz, Germany
• Dr Willem van Meurs, INEB-Institutode Engenharia Biomédica, University of Porto, Portugal
• Dr S. Randall Thomas, Informatiques, Biologie Intégrativeet Systèmes Complexes, Universitéd'Evry, France
• Dr Tim Antonius, The Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Netherlands
• Dr Joris Broeren, Leiden University Medical Centre, Belgium
• Prof Mark Tooley, Head of Medical Physics and Bioengineering & Director of Research and Development, Royal United Hospital Bath, UK
• Prof Judy Harris, Director of AIMS Centre for Excellence in Teaching & Learning, The Medical School, University of Bristol, UK
• Dr Richard Helyer, Department of Physiology & Pharmacology and AIMS Centre for Excellence in Teaching & Learning, The Medical School, University of Bristol, UK
• Dr Eugene Lloyd, Department of Physiology & Pharmacology and AIMS Centre for Excellence in Teaching & Learning, The Medical School, University of Bristol, UK
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Thanks

We thank the AIMS CETL for providing funding to host this meeting, and SESAM for endorsing the meeting.

Dr Richard Helyer (University of Bristol) & Dr med Stefan Moenk (AQAI Simulationszentrum)