MUSCAT: As part of its efforts to install facilities for high fidelity simulation in medical education, the College of Medicine & Health Sciences at Sultan Qaboos University, on Wednesday launched the world’s most life-like Victoria Childbirth Simulator at its Medical Education and Informatics Unit.
The launching of Victoria birthing simulator was held under the auspices of Dr Abdullah al Futaisi, Advisor, SQU.
The College of Medicine at SQU is the first medical school in the GCC to install this high fidelity birthing simulation facility.
Commenting on the new facility, Dr Rashid Khalfan al Abri, Head of the Medical Education & Informatics Unit, said bedside teaching and clinical simulation are equally important in medical education to ensure patient safety and quality.
The increasing amount of medical information and research makes it difficult for medical education to stay current in its curriculum. To meet these challenges, the medical educators at SQU are by restructuring curricula, developing small-group sessions, and increasing self-directed learning and independent research. Medical simulation plays a key role in closing the gap between the classroom and the clinical environment, and providing adequate training in physical examination, diagnosis, and management”, he said.
Dr Carlos N Chidiac, from Gaumard Scientific USA, the manufacturer of ‘Victoria’ said that the birthing simulator is a life-sized simulator that not only looks like a full-term patient but that gives birth like one as well. “Training simulations for obstetric teams have been shown to improve patient care and reduce errors. ‘Victoria’ is a life-sized training tool that looks and feels like a full-term mother in labour. Victoria contains a rechargeable battery that can run for approximately 8 hours, providing a “tether-free” birthing scenario that more closely mimics a true labour and delivery”, he said.
The simulator also comes preprogrammed with more than 30 different potential outcomes—anything from a low-risk vaginal birth to a c-section. Complications such as placenta previa and cord prolapse can be simulated with the use of Victoria’s umbilical cord and placenta. Equipment used on actual patients, such as a fetal monitor, pulse oximeter, or blood pressure monitor, can also be used on the Victoria unit.
The simulator even allows for epidural procedures. When Victoria “gives birth,” a simulated full-term or preemie baby enters the clinical training scenario.
The baby looks and feels like a newborn, with a heart rate, movement, and even crying.
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