Medical students practice their skills on a billion-dollar patient model.

The workshop on solutions to improve the quality of medical and pharmaceutical training held at Far East College (HCMC) on September 6 introduced many modern clinical simulation models that universities and colleges are applying.

Clinical simulation model - an effective solution to improve practice quality

According to Master Tran Thanh Hai, Principal of Far East College, the health sector is a special sector with many strict requirements. In fact, many students are only trained in theory while technology in the medical sector advances too quickly such as endoscopy, non-invasive examination methods... from which many students lack practical experience. Therefore, investing in equipment for students to practice at school, including clinical simulation models, is a mandatory requirement before allowing students to practice at hospitals.

Recently, the unit has purchased many clinical simulation models from the US and Germany, at a cost of nearly 3 billion VND. These models will be used to serve the daily teaching and learning activities of lecturers and students, helping students increase their practice opportunities before internship.

Dr. Nguyen Huu Hung, former Deputy Director of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Health , said that investing in clinical simulation models is not only a trend, but also an effective solution to improve the quality of practice for medical students.

Current technology allows for the creation of realistic situations, helping students practice from basic to complex operations while still ensuring absolute safety for patients. “When operating on a model, even technical errors will not affect the patient. Once proficient, students will be more confident when entering reality,” Mr. Hung emphasized.

However, Mr. Hung affirmed that to maximize the effectiveness of the model, the teaching staff must have deep expertise, technical understanding and clinical knowledge. He also suggested that domestic and foreign schools can coordinate and share teaching aids to avoid waste and improve the efficiency of equipment use.

- Ảnh 1. — To maximize the effectiveness of clinical simulation models, the teaching staff must have deep expertise, technical understanding and clinical knowledge.

From the reality of teaching and managing student interns, Dr. Dong Nguyen Phuong Uyen, head nurse of the Breast Unit, Cho Ray Hospital, affirmed that thanks to the simulation practice process, students are thoroughly prepared before contacting real patients, bringing clear confidence to students when entering the hospital environment.

However, she also pointed out the limitation: the model cannot replace communication skills – an essential factor when students have to explain and reassure patients. “Students are prone to lack of communication and explanation skills with patients, which the simulation model cannot completely replace,” Dr. Uyen affirmed.

Master Bui Thi Hong Ngoc, former Head of Nursing Department, Hospital for Tropical Diseases, said that simulation models also help students apply information technology in practice, while also training more solid professional skills. However, she emphasized the need to add simulated situations related to communication skills, so that students can both learn operations and practice professional behavior right from school.

Communication Training Solution: AI Patient Application and Hybrid Model

One of the limitations of current clinical simulation models is that students do not have adequate practice in communication skills – a factor that plays an important role in health care.

Dr. Nguyen Thanh Son, Vice Principal of Thai Binh Medical College, said that currently, many medical simulation methods have been applied in the world, from physical models, standardized patient scenarios, online simulation, high-fidelity simulation, augmented reality, to Hybrid models. In which, the Hybrid model is a model that combines standard patients with physical models and virtual reality technology, and is considered the most modern.

“The Hybrid model has been certified to meet international standards and is being applied at many major medical schools, including the University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Ho Chi Minh City. The advantage is that students not only practice clinical skills but also have the opportunity to practice communication skills in the same simulated case, however, this model will be very expensive,” added Dr. Nguyen Thanh Son.

Sinh viên ngành y thực hành tay nghề trên mô hình bệnh nhân giá tiền tỉ - Ảnh 1. — Dr. Nguyen Thanh Son, Vice Principal of Thai Binh Medical College, said that each medical simulation model has its own advantages and limitations.

A notable new feature is the application of AI to simulated patient models. According to Dr. Son, AI software can be programmed to interact with students, helping them practice communication skills: explaining pathology, handling difficult situations such as delivering bad news, or discussing treatment options. This technology also has the advantage of saving costs, allowing many students to practice a case together.

However, experts also acknowledge that AI cannot grasp patient emotions, ignores real-life complexities, and cannot replace direct interaction with patients...

Sharing more about practical experience, Dr. Nguyen Thanh Son said that at Thai Binh Medical College, the practice room is designed like a real hospital room, with standard cases, students have to communicate, get tools, perform procedures and take medical records. Each case lasts 15-20 minutes, including many operations. In particular, the school is developing a Hybrid model that combines AI patients and physical models - a new step forward in comprehensive medical skills training.

Some clinical simulation models were introduced at the workshop: