Embrace digital simulation technologies to educate next generation nurses - symposium

The role of cutting edge simulation technology in revolutionising professional healthcare training was the focus of a special symposium held at Aberystwyth University today.

More than 200 healthcare professionals, educators and students from across Wales and beyond took part in the one-day event, which was jointly organised by Aberystwyth University’s Healthcare Education Centre and Health Education & Improvement Wales (HEIW).

They shared knowledge, ideas and current best practice in Wales as well as look ahead to how innovation can evolve and further improve the learning experience.

A team from the Sydney Clinical Skills and Simulation Centre also shared how simulation technologies are used in educational activities Australia.

Amanda Jones, Principal Lead for Healthcare Education at Aberystwyth, talked about how the University is using novel and innovative approaches in delivering its undergraduate nursing courses.

“We have been using simulation technologies in our teaching since we welcomed our first nursing students to Aberystwyth in September last year. They enable us to replicate many aspects of real-world health scenarios and provide a safe, supportive environment for our students to learn new skills and put them to the test before they work with actual patients. 

“By organising this joint symposium with Health Education Improvement Wales, we want to further develop networks across Wales to drive forward the use of simulation in professional healthcare education and ensure we are making the most of these powerful learning tools as we educate the next generation of nurses.”

The symposium, entitled ‘Evolving Simulation-Based Education and Training: embracing digital technologies to support professional healthcare learning’, was a hybrid event with around 100 delegates attending in person on Penglais campus and a further 100 joining online.

Pushpinder Mangat, Medical Director at Health Education Improvement Wales, said:

“We are really pleased to support this symposium. We know that advances in simulation-based education will benefit our learners. By sharing our skills we can ensure we improve patient care now and in the future and enhance current and future workforce skills using the latest immersive and simulation-based technologies.”

The Healthcare Education Centre at Aberystwyth University has a state-of-the-art simulation suite with a range of innovative equipment including interactive manikins which can replicate serious conditions such as a heart attack; VR headsets, and simulated, virtual patients.

Aberystwyth University launched its BSc degrees in Nursing (Adults) and Nursing (Mental Health) in September 2022. Full course details are published on the University’s Healthcare Education Centre’s website.