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Simulation & Gaming
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Microsimulators in Medical Education: An Overview

Ulrik Juul Christensen

Sophus Medical ApS, Copenhagen, Denmark

Drew Heffernan

St. Vincent’s Hospital, Australia

Paul Barach

University of Chicago

Four types of educational simulators are available for medical education: simple (part task) and complex microsimulators, and simple and complex macrosimulators (full-scale simulators). There has been a tendency to see full-scale simulators as the ideal solution for all educational simulation needs. However, each of the above groups has different strengths and weaknesses in achieving educational goals. Microsimulators are a complementary tool to full-scale macrosimulators. Their role in medical education will become increasingly important because it is now possible to make intelligent, autonomous microsimulators. Using a combination of microsimulators and macrosimulators will allow a wide range of cognitive and behavioral skills to be addressed. The development of microsimulators should—as soon as the realism is sufficient—focus on the intelligent, educational feedback in the debriefing. This challenge for microsimulators may become their greatest asset in medical education.

Key Words: clinical competence • computer simulation • computer-assisted instruction • computerbased training • medical education • patient simulation • PC • software

Simulation & Gaming, Vol. 32, No. 2, 250-262 (2001)
DOI: 10.1177/104687810103200212
Add to CiteULike CiteULike   Add to Connotea Connotea   Add to Del.icio.us Del.icio.us   Add to Digg Digg   Add to Reddit Reddit   Add to Technorati Technorati    What's this?