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Best Simulation Lab/Facilities?


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Hi everyone-

So last cycle I was accepted to one school but fell in love with another- High Point had amazing facilities and simulation labs which I personally feel would help me learn the material better and make the experience more enjoyable. The school I was accepted at only had one simulation doll whereas high point has over 10. This cycle I am thinking of applying to High point, Elon, Campbell, EVMS and ECU. Does anyone have any insight on the other schools' facilities? I am overseas so I am unable to tour them and some of them don't have a ton of information and pictures online. 

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2 hours ago, KirstenR said:

Hi everyone-

So last cycle I was accepted to one school but fell in love with another- High Point had amazing facilities and simulation labs which I personally feel would help me learn the material better and make the experience more enjoyable. The school I was accepted at only had one simulation doll whereas high point has over 10. This cycle I am thinking of applying to High point, Elon, Campbell, EVMS and ECU. Does anyone have any insight on the other schools' facilities? I am overseas so I am unable to tour them and some of them don't have a ton of information and pictures online. 

I have been accepted to Campbell University and will be starting July 31st.  The facilities are brand new and have great sim labs and more.  I can't compare to other programs as I did not get interviewed anywhere else or tour but can say many have supported the fact Campbell has top notch facilities and amazing instructors too.   

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From my experience in PA schools what really matters is a simulated patient with an actor, a real human being.  So far sim dolls have been more for practicing skills for a code or something like when we went through ACLS.  Your physical exam skills class is probably more important than how many sim dolls there are. 

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Guest HanSolo

Our program uses both standardized patients and high-fidelity mannequins. We also record our interactions. They have their uses and are OK for certain instruction, but I'd rather just spend that time in clinic with a real patient. I would advise against making a decision on where to attend school based on their sim lab unless all other aspects are equal. You'll practice most of your physical exam skills on your classmates/roommates/significant other, anyway. Standardized patients aren't cheap. 

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Great advice above. We practice A LOT with real "patients", very little with the SIMs (like someone else said, they're more used for ACLS). You WILL act/talk differently when it's a SIM vs a real person, and I personally would much rather get that practice on a real human being. If the majority of your practice is with SIMs I'd hazard a guess you'll be feeling a lot more uncomfortable once clinicals start and you're seeing real patients. So I agree - don't make the choice based on the sim lab alone. 

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Agreed with sentiments so far. Sim lab should not make or break your decision to attend a program. Our practicals have been with live people. Honestly, working with the mannequin is a bit awkward since you have to speak to it like a real human being. 

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