Distributed, Multiplatform High Fidelity Human Patient Simulation Environment in an Ultra-Long Distance Setting

Simulation offers the most efficient adjunct in education and “refresher” training of medical personnel. However, simulation devices and facilities are expensive and the combination of cost, distance from the training centers, and professional constraints prevent medical personnel in rural and remote regions from simulation-based training. We have demonstrated that fiscal and logistic barriers can be overcome by the implementation of distance simulation methods that we have already developed. However, whenever High Fidelity Patient Simulators are used in a multi-unit training environment (e.g., mass casualties) the problems of simulator incompatibility may introduce major problems in the orchestration and control of the simulated events. The paper discusses problems of international large scale “just-in-time” training and the initial solutions to simulation-based preparation of medical personnel using multiple simulators simulator sites separated by ultra-long distances