Simulation in healthcare : journal of the Society for Simulation in Healthcare
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As virtual experiences are increasingly used in health care training and research, it is important that adequate processes are applied for developing valid scenarios. We describe the development and validation of virtual human (VH) vignettes, computer-generated scenarios with animated patients and clinical information, for a mixed-methods study regarding nurses' assessment and intervention choices for critically ill children's pain. ⋯ This process was effective for developing VH vignettes that demonstrated good face validity with participants and convergent validity with written vignettes. Virtual human vignettes may be useful in studying the influence of facial actions on nurses' choices for children's pain assessment and treatment.
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This report describes the creation process for an inexpensive, durable, lumbar spine phantom for use in fluoroscopically guided lumbar puncture (LP) training. ⋯ This novel spine phantom can be produced with relatively low cost when compared with similar commercially available products. The phantom offers reasonable visual and tactile agreement to human anatomy and may be useful for improving the confidence of physician trainees. The LP phantom is durable and can easily be repaired by reheating the polymer tissue substitute.
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Second trimester surgical termination of pregnancy by dilation and evacuation (D&E) is a procedure that the Obstetrics and Gynecology (OB/GYN) Residency Review Committee requires training programs to offer to their residents and that many residents desire to learn. However, because of limited numbers of credentialed providers, clinical training opportunities may be limited or not available at their training institutions. Simulated procedures may allow for residents and other learners to be more prepared and capable at the time of their first clinical procedures or advanced skill acquisition. ⋯ The task trainer for ultrasound-guided second trimester uterine evacuation showed excellent face validity. This low-cost task trainer provides residents and other trainees with a tool to practice ultrasound-guided fetal extraction skills and improve proficiency with D&E outside the operating room. In addition, it increases their confidence in being able to perform the procedure on patients.