A groundbreaking joint initiative has been announced by Hokkaido University, Hiroshima International University, Kagawa University, Nagoya City University, Kyushu Institute of Technology, and the International University of Health and Welfare.
The newly developed simulator, known as Simmar+ESTE-SIM, offers nursing students invaluable hands-on experience with critical procedures, such as mechanical ventilation and tracheal suctioning specifically tailored for pediatric patients.
Introducing Simmar+ESTE-SIM, an innovative XR simulator designed to train future pediatric nurses. (Noriyo Colley, et al. Journal of Nursing Care & Reports. September 30, 2024)
Researchers from Hokkaido University in Japan have pioneered this novel training tool to empower nursing students with the essential skills required for caring for children dependent on mechanical ventilation and tracheal suctioning. In their recent study, published in the Journal of Nursing Care & Reports, the research team underscored the simulator’s vital contribution to addressing the rising demand for specialized medical care among pediatric patients.
Recent statistics disclosed by the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare paint a troubling picture: the number of children in Japan requiring medical assistance has alarmingly doubled from 2011 to 2021. This escalation can be attributed to a confluence of factors, including significant societal transformations and an uptick in complex medical conditions necessitating advanced interventions. Moreover, technological advancements in medicine have significantly boosted survival rates among critically ill children, thereby increasing the cohort of patients who require ongoing medical support. The Act on Support for Technology-Dependent Children and Their Families underscores a growing societal awareness regarding the needs of these vulnerable young patients, reflecting a broader shift towards more home-based medical solutions.
The rollout of the Simmar+ESTE-SIM simulator signifies a monumental leap forward in nursing education, tailored specifically to meet the evolving demands of contemporary healthcare. By ingeniously melding physical instruments with sophisticated computer software, the simulator offers an immersive training experience that equips aspiring nurses to proficiently administer high-quality care to children with specialized health needs.
Professor Shinji Ninomiya from the Department of Health Sciences at Hiroshima International University remarked, “Students can actively engage in procedures such as endotracheal suctioning while receiving real-time feedback on their performance, which significantly enhances their learning experience and self-assurance. Mastering these skills is particularly crucial in nursing, as proper training is vital for delivering effective care to patients.”
Assistant Professor Noriyo Colley of Hokkaido University’s Faculty of Health Sciences, the principal investigator behind the ESTE-SIM project, elaborated, “Our simulator provides nursing students with the opportunity to practice essential procedures within a safe and controlled environment. It utilizes cutting-edge immersive technology and authentic scenarios, enabling students to gain practical experience devoid of the risks associated with actual patient care.”
“The term XR, standing for cross reality, encompasses an array of emerging information technologies that fuse the physical realm with digital interfaces to fabricate an immersive experience,” she added. “XR incorporates virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and mixed reality (MR), all of which contribute to a multidimensional learning environment.”
The introduction of this simulator comes at a crucial time when the demand for effective training programs is surging, allowing nursing students to cultivate essential skills in a risk-free atmosphere. By arming them with the confidence and expertise necessary to care for vulnerable patients requiring intricate medical interventions, the simulator ensures that nursing professionals are aptly prepared to face the complexities of modern healthcare challenges.
Original Article:
Noriyo Colley, et al. Learning Effects of Mechanical Ventilator/Tracheal Suctioning XR Simulators and Extracting Decision Making Criteria to Introduce a Novel Simulator. Journal of Nursing Care & Reports. September 30, 2024.
DOI: 10.47485/2693-2326.1051
Funding:
This groundbreaking research received support from the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) KAKENHI (JP17H04425, JP19H03877, JP22H03701). The authors extend their gratitude to the Comprehensive Educational Center, Chugoku Rosai Hospital, and Hiroshima Bunka Gakuen University for their invaluable cooperation in facilitating this pioneering simulation education initiative.
How does the Simmar+ESTE-SIM simulator specifically prepare nursing students for pediatric care challenges?
**Interview with Professor Noriyo Colley on the Simmar+ESTE-SIM Simulator Initiative**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Professor Colley. Can you start by explaining what the Simmar+ESTE-SIM simulator is and its significance for nursing education?
**Professor Colley:** Thank you for having me! The Simmar+ESTE-SIM is an innovative XR (cross-reality) simulator developed through a collaboration of several universities in Japan, including Hokkaido University, Hiroshima International University, and others. This simulator is designed to provide nursing students with hands-on training for critical procedures like mechanical ventilation and tracheal suctioning, specifically tailored for pediatric patients. Given the alarming rise in the number of children requiring such specialized care—having doubled in the last decade—this simulator is crucial for equipping future nurses with the skills they need to provide high-quality care in a safe environment.
**Interviewer:** That’s quite alarming. What drives the increasing demand for such specialized pediatric care?
**Professor Colley:** The increase is due to multiple factors, including societal changes and a rise in complex medical conditions among children. Additionally, advances in medical technology have improved survival rates for critically ill children, which unfortunately means more children requiring ongoing support. Our simulator is a response to this growing need, ensuring that nursing students are not just knowledgeable, but also proficient in the practical skills required in these high-stakes situations.
**Interviewer:** How does the Simmar+ESTE-SIM enhance the learning experience for nursing students?
**Professor Colley:** The simulator enables students to perform procedures like endotracheal suctioning in real-time, receiving immediate feedback on their performance. This kind of hands-on practice is invaluable, as it helps to build both skill and confidence. Moreover, using cutting-edge immersive technology, students can engage in realistic scenarios without the risks that come with practicing on actual patients. It’s an opportunity for them to learn and make mistakes in a controlled setting, ultimately enhancing their competence when they enter the workforce.
**Interviewer:** Could you elaborate a bit more on what XR technology entails in this context?
**Professor Colley:** Absolutely! XR, or cross-reality, encompasses a wide range of technologies including virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and mixed reality (MR). In the context of our simulator, it merges real-world instruments with sophisticated digital interfaces, creating a rich, immersive training environment. This integration fosters deeper engagement and allows students to visualize and practice procedures in a way that feels quite realistic.
**Interviewer:** It sounds like Simmar+ESTE-SIM is a significant advancement in nursing education. What do you hope to see moving forward with this initiative?
**Professor Colley:** Our ultimate goal is to see this simulator adopted widely in nursing curricula across Japan and potentially globally. We hope it will not only improve the preparedness of nursing students but also reflect a broader shift in healthcare towards addressing the specialized needs of vulnerable populations, particularly children requiring long-term medical care. This initiative, we believe, is a crucial step in ensuring that the next generation of nurses is ready to meet the complex demands of modern healthcare.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Professor Colley, for your insights. It’s clear that the Simmar+ESTE-SIM is set to make a lasting impact on nursing education.
**Professor Colley:** Thank you! It’s been a pleasure discussing this important topic.
