IRJET- The Possibilities of using Simulators in Medical Education

International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET) e-ISSN: 2395-0056
Volume: 06 Issue: 07 | July 2019 www.irjet.net p-ISSN: 2395-0072
© 2019, IRJET | Impact Factor value: 7.211 | ISO 9001:2008 Certified Journal | Page 996
The Possibilities of using Simulators in Medical Education
Associate Professor 1, Lyudmila A. Kamyshnikova, Professor2 of the department Olga A.
Efremova, Associate Professor 3 Olga A. Bolkhovitina, Associate professor4 Natalia I. Obolonkova,
Associate Professor 5 Maria A. Gaivoronskaya and Medical Student6, Abubakar Saminu Jibrin.
1,2,3.4,5,6 Department of faculty Therapy Belgorod National Research University, Belgorod Russia.
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Abstract - The article deals with topical issues of
application of simulation techniques in the modern
educational process associated with the use of virtual
simulators in medical education. The purpose of this article
was to review the use of simulators in the educational
process of medical school. Research methodology: scientific
publications were searched by keyword: simulation
technologies, simulators, medical education (in Russian and
English), using Google Scholar and Medline search system,
search time range from 2009 to 2019. Results: it was shown
and identified the main benefits of using training simulators
that allow undergraduate medical student to imagine the
object of study and to implement practical actions to him
without his direct involvement, to set the initial parameters
for the study and register the relevant changes in the results
of the experiment, to analyze, identify patterns and draw
conclusions, if necessary, repeating the attempt. It also
shows the difficulties associated with significant initial costs
for training teachers, the lack of current educational
modeling programs.
Keywords: simulation technologies, virtual simulators,
medical education.
INTRODUCTION
At present, in the era of rapid development of high-tech
medicine society imposes increased demands on the quality
of medical services. The classical system of clinical medical
education is not able to fully solve the problem of high-
quality practical training of the doctor [1, 2, 3, and 4]. In
order to enhance the cognitive activity of the student, it is
necessary to use all possible simulation technologies for
practical, laboratory and independent studies [5, 6, and 7].
It is necessary to create a real situation for each practical
skills of assistance, as well as cause interest and desire to
learn more, improve the quality of learning new material [8,
9, and 10]. To master these technologies, it is advisable to
acquaint teachers with didactic capabilities of simulation
training tools, including:
• Variety of reporting forms
• Different types of clinical situations
• Creation of educational environments that provide
"immersion" of the student in certain social and industrial
situations
• Application of gaming technologies
• An implementation of the playback capabilities of the
fragment production activities
• Activation of educational work of students, strengthening
of their role as the subject of educational activity;
strengthening of their motivation [8].
One of the tasks of medical education is to provide training
of specialists who can use modern medical information
systems, participate in their development and maintenance
[11, 12, 13, and 14]. Simulation is increasingly used for
teaching medical procedures [15, 16].
It is extremely important to use humanistic teaching
methods in medical education in accordance with the
principle of "do No harm". Learning practical skills using
simulators (or models) is becoming common in different
areas. Simulators used in medicine allow the student to
master many skills before meeting real patients. Students
have the opportunity to acquire basic medical skills without
causing any harm to the patient, with the help of standard
practices used in simulation centers [17]. It is also possible
to produce more qualified doctors, first of all, teaching
student’s practical skills for basic medical interventions, and
then practice these skills with real patients. In General, it is
believed that the use of skills models in medical training will
lead to better elaboration and assimilation of practical
competencies, a significant reduction in the number of
medical errors, to improvement and efficiency of medical
care [18].
AIM:
The aim of this work was a literature review of the use of
simulators in the educational process of medical school.

RESEARCH METHODOLOGY
Scientific publications were searched by keyword:
simulation technologies, simulators, medical education (in
Russian and English), using Google Scholar and MEDLINE
search system, search time range from 2009 to 2019. More
than 19000 articles were found, using sorting by date and
exact matches, we narrowed down the search result to 98
articles that we analyzed, selected 34 of them, taking into
account the purpose of the article.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Software for modeling and simulation has been used in
almost all areas of education, as well as actively used in
medical education [19, 20]. This simulation gives students
the opportunity to apply different approaches and
techniques before they encounter real patients. The
objectives of these simulation applications are to enable
students to gain basic medical skills without harming the
patients [21, 22]. They are aimed at practicing certain
medical practices according to standards on models and
simulators, and then on patients, which allows to achieve a
higher level of qualification of doctors [23, 24].
Thus, simulation applications are extremely important in
terms of improving clinical skills [15]. It is not always
possible to provide clinical skills training in the hospital. The
decline in time with patients and empowering care at home,
in hospitals there are only very serious cases, and sometimes
students graduate without having the opportunity to see
some of different clinical cases and diseases [19]. This
situation further emphasizes the importance of modelling.
The practical possibilities offered by the simulation software
facilitate the learning process, learning time and minimize
the risk of harm to patients [25, 26, and 27]. In medical
education it is possible to classify the areas in which
simulations are used:
1. Study and planning. Saving money and time, simulation
of the operation before release, identifying areas of concern.
2. Skill assessment. A good example of this is testing and
evaluating a doctor's capabilities.
3. Education. An example of such software could be an
educational simulation that is used to practice the skill by
medical students before they meet a real patient.
There are a number of advantages of using simulation and
simulation applications in medical education from different
points of view: students, patients, teachers and medical
institutions, they are given in table 1 [1, 28, and 29].
Table 1.The Advantages of using simulation
applications.
Point of view Advantage of using using
simulation applications
From the student's
point of view:
Reducing the psychological
burden on students.
Improving clinical
experience.
Quick feedback.
Possibility to use without any
safety concerns.
Possibility to test all possible
cases.
Makes students think about
their own achievements.
Minimization of possible risk
as a result of wrong actions.
Equal opportunities in
education.
Opportunity to study in a
group.
The mechanism for
repetition of skills.
The possibility of "working
out" rare pathologies.
From the patient's
perspective
High quality service.
Patient-centered approach.
Reducing the level of
complications.
From the teacher's
point of view
Safety during the
educational process.
Can be integrated into the
curriculum.
Reduces the likelihood of
complications.
Consolidate theoretical
knowledge with instant
practical skills.
Active participation of
students.
Provides opportunities for
development of
competencies.
From the point of view
of medical institutions
Higher quality service.
Reducing the risk of
complications.
For companies prefer
doctors with high
qualifications.
Higher quality service.
Reducing the risk of
complications.
For companies prefer doctors
with high qualifications.

In addition to the many advantages of simulation medical
education,
There are some disadvantages [30]:
- High cost;
- Different educational environments are required;
- The planning process takes a long time;
- Limited number of competent instructors;
- Unfavorable attitude of a number of students and teachers
to simulation training;
- Lack of confidence in simulation-based learning;
It should be remembered that simulation-based training is
only an auxiliary method and cannot replace clinical
training when working with patients.
Classification of training AIDS, simulators, models
and simulations on 7 different levels of realism
[1]:
1. Visual - training is based on visual perception. Classic
tutorials, posters, electronic and computer textbooks,
educational games, online tests.
2. Tactile - visual perception is complemented by the
analysis of tactile sensations. Simulators, phantoms and
mannequins for practicing practical skills.
3. Reactive - the reaction of the equipment to the actions of
the cadet and their simplest, usually binary evaluation: "Yes"
or "no". Simulators are equipped with a system of indication
of the result: an electronic controller with a light or sound
signal, simulation of bleeding.
4. Automated - script-based reaction - more complex, but
still standard, programmed. Simulators and simulators with
computerized control and/or video recording of actions.
5. Hardware - the reliability of training is enhanced by the
interaction of simulators with existing medical equipment,
up to the ambulance.
6. Interactive - the reaction of simulators is calculated on the
basis of complex mathematical models, each time individual,
as realistic as possible. Patient simulators and virtual
simulators with feedback, including tactile sensitivity.
7. Integrated - integration of several simulators into a single
complex. Complex integrated interactive simulation systems,
with the presence of automated recording protocols and
training management.
As the realism of the educational device increases, its price
increases [1].
In a study by Shanks D (2010), evaluated the preferences of
medical students on the use of simulators in the learning
process. The authors concluded that students appreciate
learning on the simulator in the form of small group classes
[16].
Study Wahidi et al. [31] shows that training using
simulators leads to measurable, statistically significant, and
sustained improvements in bronchoscopy technique when
working with real patients. Students, who were trained
using simulators, achieved high results, much earlier in the
learning process: their results when performing the 20th
bronchoscopy were the same as the results of the 50th
bronchoscopy of students who studied without simulators.
This indicates a much greater efficiency of simulators in
comparison with standard training [32].
The study is of great value to confirm the effectiveness of
simulators, as it includes multiple, long-term evaluation of
the implementation of this procedure. Students after the
transition to work with real patients, rely on the tested
system of evaluation of results and demonstrate sustainable
improvement of bronchoscopy techniques.
According to long-term observation of several students, the
experts empirically established the required number of
procedures. The result curves obtained by the BSTAT system
indicate a rapid improvement of the results during the first
30 procedures, then the results improved more slowly. These
data not only confirm the requirements for a minimum
number of bronchoscopy procedures, but also correspond to
a recent proposal to increase the number of necessary
procedures. The aim of the training is to achieve a sufficient
level of practical skills in the minimum number of
procedures, which should be correlated with improving the
quality of skills, as in the study Wahidi [31].
Central vein catheterization is a common standard
procedure, and more accurate and safe installation of
Central venous catheters is the goal of many health
professionals. The Agency for research and evaluation of the
quality of medical care and other institutions recommend
ultrasound control during Central vein catheterization to
avoid possible complications [32]. Some institutions have
organized special training groups to develop these skills.
Training on the simulators imply zero risks for the patient.
Taking into account the frequency and prevalence of
procedures, introduction of Central venous catheters,
aspiration to the elimination of risks when performing this
manipulation, the increased risks associated with the work
of inexperienced physicians, and the availability of relatively
inexpensive simulators for practicing skills in the
installation of Central venous catheters, studies have been

conducted in the use of simulators for learning this
technique in the field practicing skills in the use of
ultrasound for this technique, as well as in the field of
methods of integrated assessment of competencies of
students and tasks [32].
Several small studies have confirmed the benefits of using
simulators in training, including no risk of complications,
fewer needle misses, and a higher level of confidence of the
doctor during the procedure. The value of the Dong study
[33] is to develop and test a tool to evaluate the results of
students. The tool includes several methods from different
areas, is characterized by external validity and acceptable
inter-expert reliability, and is regulated depending on the
level of competence of the doctor.
A similar technique was considered in the study Huang [34].
He used a tool for the subclavian installation, not including
ultrasonic testing, but containing more specific and detailed
exercises. Huang technique was developed using precise
methods, but has not yet been tested as Dong technique.
According to S. Murrin, it is time to abandon the approach of
using only one method or tool of learning [32]. Modern
training program should include a variety of methods and
equipment. In addition the system should be provided for
testing the level of doctors ' skills before admission to
procedures in a real clinical situation [32, 33].
Of course, to determine how to optimize the integration of
simulators in the training program requires additional
research, but should not postpone the use of this high-tech
tool in the training and assessment of the professional level
of doctors. Various articles on this topic only confirm the
advantages of simulators.
CONCLUSIONS
The use of computer simulation technology in the
educational process increases the objectivity and quality of
testing and evaluation of knowledge, skills and practical
skills of students, and in clinical practice can improve the
skills of practitioners.
Thus, the simulation technology is certainly communicative,
since it involves establishing contact and interaction
between the participants of the educational process.
Information, penetrating into consciousness, initiates its
active work and, as a result, starts the reverse information
process, response, action. And of course, the introduction of a
simulation training system provides a number of advantages
for students, teachers, health care and medical education in
General. It should be noted that simulation techniques
cannot replace the entire scope of practical activities of
medical students, especially its clinical part, providing direct
experience of interaction with patients.
Conflict of interest: All the authors state that there is no
conflict of interest.
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