As the healthcare industry is rapidly growing, the need for healthcare professionals to stay up to date with the latest medical procedures and techniques is also on the rise.
Medical practitioners have to continuously update their skills and knowledge to provide the best possible patient care and treatment.
However, traditional classroom teaching methods may not always be a feasible option to cope with rapid technological advancement.
And that’s where interactive video and simulation-based learning come into play.
This blog aims to explain what these techniques actually mean and how healthcare professionals can benefit from them.
So, let’s get started.
What exactly does “Interactive Video and Simulation-Based Learning” mean?
Interactive video and simulation-based learning are customized e-learning solutions that use cutting-edge technology to give learners an interesting and immersive training experience.
Interactive video allows learners to participate in a video and make choices that affect the outcome of the scenario.
Simulation-based learning involves virtual or physical simulations of medical procedures that learners can practice on, gaining real-life experience in a safe environment
For example, virtual reality can be used to simulate a medical operation or an interactive video to practice clinical decision-making in a real-world setting.
This approach to medical education isn’t new – medical education has been using simulators for decades to teach clinical skills.
However, thanks to advancements in technology, we can now create more realistic scenarios, provide better feedback, and make these learning opportunities more accessible to medical professionals.
The Importance of Real-Life Scenarios in Medical Training
Think about it – if you were a medical student about to perform your first surgical procedure.
Though you’ve studied the theory, watched countless videos, and practiced on simulators, you are feeling nervous.
But imagine how much more prepared and confident you would feel if you had been able to practice in a simulated environment that imitated real-life situations?
That’s where interactive video and simulation-based learning come in.
Advantages of Interactive Video and Simulation-Based Learning
Interactive video and stimulation-based learning offer several advantages over traditional methods of medical education.
Here are a few examples:
- Realistic Scenarios for Improved Learning
Healthcare workers can be given realistic scenarios that closely resemble real-life conditions using interactive video and simulation-based learning.
This method eliminates the possibility of patient damage while allowing trainees to practice and improve their abilities in a safe environment.
When learners imitate real-life scenarios, they can better understand the procedure and any potential complications, which will boost their competence and confidence when performing the procedure.
- Improved Patient Outcomes
Patient outcomes improvement is the ultimate objective of healthcare training, and interactive video and simulation-based learning can support this goal.
These e-learning options can give medical professionals the chance to practice and hone their abilities, thereby raising the standard of care given to patients.
In fact, research that appeared in the Journal of Medical Internet Research discovered that simulation-based training was linked to better patient outcomes, including lower death and complication rates.
- Increased Retention and Engagement
Learner engagement and retention can be improved using interactive videos and simulation-based instruction.
Lower retention rates may result from traditional training techniques like lectures or printed materials not being as interesting to learners.
Learning that uses interactive videos and simulations may be more dynamic and participatory and help students remember what they have learned.
According to research in the Journal of Computer-Assisted Learning, learners who took part in an interactive video-based training program outperformed those who got conventional instruction on a post-training evaluation.
- Reduced Risk and Increased Safety
Medical operations may be complex and dangerous, and mistakes can have major negative effects on patients.
By enabling students to practice operations in a secure and monitored environment, interactive video and simulation-based learning can lower the chance of mistakes.
Healthcare professionals can learn the skills and confidence necessary to carry out treatments effectively and securely in real-world settings by getting practical experience in a virtual environment.
Furthermore, simulation-based training can be used to prepare medical professionals for uncommon or risky situations that may be challenging to encounter in real-world settings. Healthcare practitioners may benefit from this kind of training by being more equipped to deal with any circumstance that may arise.
- Customization and Personalization
When it comes to medical education, there is no such thing as one size fits all, and interactive video and simulation-based learning may offer specialized and individual training experiences.
Training programs may be designed to fit the needs of healthcare practitioners, who range in experience and degree of skill.
This strategy can assist in ensuring that healthcare workers obtain the training they require to carry out treatments correctly and with assurance.
For instance, some simulation-based training programs let students pick the level of difficulty, giving them a customized learning environment that suits their particular requirements.
This personalization may guarantee that trainees aren’t overworked or under-challenged, which can eventually lead to a better training experience.
Successful Examples of Interactive Video and Simulation-Based Learning in Healthcare
Healthcare training programs all across the world have effectively used interactive video and simulation-based learning.
The University of Pittsburgh Medical Centre (UPMC) Simulation Centre is one example of an institute that makes use of simulation-based learning to give healthcare workers hands-on training in a secure setting.
The Simulation Centre at UPMC provides a variety of simulation-based training courses in areas like critical care, emergency medicine, and surgical operations.
Another such is the HeartCode program of the American Heart Association, which teaches healthcare professionals fundamental life support techniques through interactive videos and simulation-based learning.
Effectiveness of Interactive Video and Stimulation-Based Learning
Interactive video and stimulation-based learning have been shown to be effective training tools in medical education.
Studies have shown that this approach leads to enhanced technical skills and improved confidence among medical professionals.
For example, a study published in the Journal of Surgical Education found that residents who received simulation-based training using interactive video had significantly higher technical skill scores and confidence levels than those who received traditional training.
Healthcare practitioners may actively interact with the information through interactive video.
Quizzes, polls, and other interactive features are included to help students to apply what they have learned in real-world situations and think critically.
On the other hand, simulation-based learning imitates real-world situations using simulation technologies.
Healthcare workers who have to make rapid, educated judgments under time constraints may find this method to be extremely useful.
Overall, learners may refine their critical thinking and decision-making abilities without endangering patient safety by practicing in a virtual setting.
To Wrap It Up
It’s clearly visible that interactive video and simulation-based learning provides numerous benefits for medical professionals, enhancing their technical skills and confidence levels in performing medical procedures.
It has been proven that interactive video and VR technologies are helpful in giving learners a realistic and fun environment in which to learn medical procedures.
Interactive video and simulation-based learning will become more and more crucial in medical education as technology develops, allowing healthcare professionals to stay current with the most recent medical procedures and techniques and ultimately improving patient outcomes.
