By Joseph Nebres
Photos by Rain Julien Tuvilleja
In a collaboration aimed at ‘revolutionizing’ health education, a national Simulation and Experiential Learning Workshop is taking place today, September 4, 2023, and will conclude on September 8, 2023, at the Auditorium of Roxas Hall, College of Medicine.
This workshop has been made possible through the partnership of ICAP Global Health, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED), the University of the Philippines – Manila, Mindanao State University – General Santos (MSU-GenSan), and WVSU.
The primary focus of the workshop is Simulation-Based Education (SBE), utilizing cutting-edge teaching methodology that incorporates technology and experiential learning to offer safe yet immersive clinical encounters for students, educators, and prospective patients.
The program, which commenced at 9 a.m. today, is being attended by 35 faculty members from other public and private institutions, including MSU-GenSan, University of Southern Mindanao, Central Philippine University, Iloilo Doctors College, Cebu Normal University, and Northern Negros State College of Science and Technology. Additionally, faculty members from WVSU’s College of Medicine, College of Nursing, and College of Dentistry are participating.
The facilitators from ICAP at Columbia University include Dr. Getch Kassa, senior staff associate; Ms. Claire Raether, senior training and education specialist; Ms. Heather Fosburg, senior project officer; and Dr. Susan Michaels-Strasser, senior director of Human Resources for Health. Joining them is Dr. Pule Moabi, principal and simulation specialist from Scott College of Nursing in Lesotho.
According to its website, ICAP, based at Columbia University, “has operations in more than 40 countries and is a leader in global public health, internationally known for tackling the world’s toughest health challenges—from HIV to tuberculosis, from malaria to maternal and child health, and the growing problem of non-communicable diseases, and most recently, the COVID-19 pandemic. Through innovative research, collaborative technical assistance, and a focus on strengthening health systems, ICAP helps to create better, more accessible health services to reduce the burden of illness on people and communities.”
SBE has garnered attention for its potential to offer hands-on training devoid of the inherent risks associated with real-life medical situations, a factor that is crucial in producing highly competent and confident healthcare professionals.
The “Simulation and Experiential Learning Workshop” project comprises a series of workshops designed to equip the present and future healthcare workforce with the skills needed to effectively address diverse patient needs. By integrating Competency-Based Education (CBE) and high-fidelity simulators (HFS), the project aims to bridge the gap between theoretical learning and practical implementation.