Seeking reality through the unreal: Interviewing high-fidelity human patient simulation in undergraduate nursing education

This article examines the use of high-fidelity mannequins in simulation scenarios as used in nursing undergraduate education. Notwithstanding a lack of robust support in the research literature regarding outcomes, these mannequins have been broadly taken up by educators. Employing a form of posthuman inquiry, I explore how the use of high-fidelity mannequins may affect the student nurses’ relation with real living bodies, and therefore the people they eventually look after. Ways to mitigate the potential side-effects of the medium are offered, including a reframing of the simulation scenario.

Evaluating Human Patient Simulation Fidelity and Effectiveness for Combat-Medical Training

Two leading causes of survivable combat deaths are hemorrhage and airway compromise. Although individual medical-training competency requirements are met using human-patient simulation (HPS), the evaluation of fidelity and HPS impact on training outcomes are not well documented. Research has documented physical fidelity concerns when comparing human anatomy to simulators, but has largely overlooked informational needs such as visual, auditory, and tactile cues for patient assessment. Training impact is often characterized by changes in confidence; however, the Dunning-Kruger effect suggests that overconfidence is pervasive. The purpose of this paper is to provide perspective on the research needs to ensure human-patient simulation meets the requirements for combat-medic training.