About the Simulation and Education Hub

The USU Simulation and Education Hub, launched in March 2023, has taken several essential steps towards its initial goal of building bridges across several centers and departments with expertise in simulation to enable a broader vision of how simulation-based learning can be applied within and across the university. Simulation-based learning is widely employed across USU undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate education programs. These modalities include standardized participant methodology, role play, procedural training with manikins and task trainers, virtual and augmented reality, and diverse scenario-based simulations, such as resuscitation and combat casualty care. The USU Simulation Hub aims to enhance simulation-based learning by building bridges to enable across-departmental collaboration and build a community of simulation scholars.

One of the most notable achievements of the USU Hub was the development of a plan for faculty members pursuing formal training in simulation-based learning. Representatives from the USU Faculty Development Certificate Program, the Naval Postgraduate School’s (NPS) Healthcare Modeling and Simulation Program, and the USU Health Professions Education Program collaborated by comparing and stratifying program requirements, timelines, and specializations and establishing credit parameters. Then, in May 2024, Dr. Andrea Austin (USU Military & Emergency Medicine, MOVES Institute), Dr. Alexis Battista (USU Center for Health Professions Education), Dr. Amy Hildredth (USU Military and Emergency Medicine), and Dr. Gayle Haischer-Rollo (USU Faculty Development Certificate Program) hosted a professional development panel outlining the new plan. These efforts are intended to make it easier for individuals to determine which program best suits their needs and help build a bench of skillful simulation educators, researchers, and administrators.

The HUB also began an ‘open meeting’ stance in March 2024, intending to invite various subject matter experts to present current research or projects involving simulation in enhancing medical education. These monthly briefings will continue in the future, aiming to capture innovative DoD-based efforts and partnerships with civilian institutions. In addition to the above professional development panel, the following highlights two recent presentations.

  • Dr. Ernie Lockrow (Department of Gynecologic Surgery & Obstetrics) shared findings from a recent project funded by the NIH entitled the “Effect of Validated Skills Simulation with the Miya Model on Operating Room Performance of Vaginal Hysterectomy.” This three-phase, multi-center study utilizes a simulation model and Tobii eye-tracking system to enhance trainee feedback and self-assessment capacity.
  • Dr. Josh Duncan (Dean’s Office) shared how USU is exploring using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to transform and personalize learning in a presentation entitled, “Precision Education and AI-Driven Transformation.” AI can help scaffold learning by creating customized quizzes, tailored and targeted feedback, summarizing complex information, and developing educational materials. He also indicated a need to incorporate AI competency training into the medical school curriculum and conduct more research on the future impact of AI in medical education.

The Simulation Hub’s goals for the coming years include connecting with the simulation programs throughout the military health system (MHS) to identify simulation expertise, enable resource sharing, and reduce redundancies where possible. The Hub also plans to continue hosting open meetings and develop a website where resources, such as presentations, educational offerings, regional, national, and international simulation meetings, and other essential information can be easily accessed.