Nowadays, computer simulation training is applied in many medical spheres. They include neurosurgery, pharmacokinetics, dentistry, and many others. Live and virtual simulation technologies are getting increasingly popular in medical institutions. However, technology has both positive and negative sides. The main advantage of simulation is an opportunity to safely undertake high-risk activities, such as surgery, without any harm to the patient. Simulation training increases doctors’ skills in various fields. For example, they extend their knowledge concerning certain situations and develop hands-on skills. In addition, the trainees learn how to make decisions quickly and watch the consequences of these decisions (Dave et al., 2018). They can learn from their errors and effectively practice the techniques learned from the theoretical course. The students can train in teamwork and professional communication in difficult situations (Lunde et al., 2018). Finally, the professionals do not have to wait for the real situation to come up and can learn at any time and as much as they need to.
However, technology has not only advantages but disadvantages as well. In some cases, simulation cannot recreate all possible situations that can occur in real practice (Nassar & Tekian, 2020). In addition, it can be economically inefficient since the simulators are quite expensive. Medical professionals are not always skilled in working with software, so training can be time-consuming. The programs also have to be regularly updated.
Thus, simulation is a very efficient technology that allows training of the staff without any risks for the patients. However, it is expensive and should have proper maintenance, which decreases its accessibility for mass usage in medical facilities. Nevertheless, it is a promising technology that should be further developed and widely applied in combination with real practice.
References
Dave, V., Yadav, R. B., Yadav, S., Sharma, S., Sahu, R. K., & Ajayi, A. F. (2018). A Critique of Computer Simulation Software’s Used in Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics Analysis. Current clinical pharmacology, 13(4), 216–235.
Lunde, L., Moen, A., Jakobsen, R. B., Rosvold, E. O., & Brænd, A. M. (2021). Exploring healthcare students’ interprofessional teamwork in primary care simulation scenarios: collaboration to create a shared treatment plan. BMC medical education, 21(1), 416. Web.
Nassar, H. M., & Tekian, A. (2020). Computer simulation and virtual reality in undergraduate operative and restorative dental education: A critical review. Journal of dental education, 84(7), 812–829. Web.