Howard Community College

6 Howard Community College 6 Howard Community College evaluate what I would do differently the next time." HCC's simulation suites and technologies are housed in the college's Health Sciences Building. Noelle, Hal, and nearly 50 other high-fidelity manikins create career- specific simulations, as well as unique interprofessional simulations, which are experiences that provide exposure to multiple disciplines within the allied health field. "HCC was a forerunner in simulation as one of the first nursing schools to purchase a simulator more than twenty years ago," said Dr. Georgene Butler, dean of health sciences. "Since that time, greater emphasis has been placed on simulation, not only in nursing, but in all of the allied health programs. The college received Nurse Support Program II grant funding in 2013 to expand simulation to include interprofessional simulation." Researchers in California first introduced learning by simulation in the 1960s after recognizing that learning through books and lectures only provided a part of what people pursuing careers in medicine really needed to know. They believed that the gap could be filled by having students practice in labs that closely approximate what their work environment would ultimately be. The goal was to improve patient communication and outcomes, while significantly reducing the risk for medical errors. "For a long time in medical education, students were hitting the books and performing very well on tests and exams, but no one was really paying attention to their patient care methods and skills," said John Shatzer, Ph.D., an associate professor of research at Johns Hopkins University whose interests focus on experiential learning opportunities through simulation. "Today, things are much different. Simulation is a highly studied and applied discipline in higher and medical education. It tests students in a different way and requires that they demonstrate real patient care skills in order to graduate." Dr. Shatzer presented at the first Allied Health and Nursing Interprofessional Simulation Conference, which was held at HCC in June 2016. Multiple disciplines and practitioners from across the state were represented at the day-long event that focused on simulation education. " Simulation is a highly studied and applied discipline... It tests students in a different way and requires that they demonstrate real patient care skills. "

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