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Laval Virtuel 2002 Prize
Medical Operations Training with HPS |
MedSMART
(Medical Simulation, Modeling, Advanced Research,
and Training)
MedSMART is a not-for-profit company devoted to simulation-based training of civilian and military medical personnel (physicians, nurses, and paramedics). MedSMART offers global accessibility and unprecedented affordability by using Human Patient Simulators (HPS) either in hands-on or distance training environments; it also provides training in field management of combat trauma, disaster, and CBRNE field casualty care. The principles of Advanced Distributed Learning and Distributed Interactive Simulation implemented by MedSMART permit us to train medical personnel deployed worldwide. Also, MedSMART conducts its own academic research on the effects of simulation on medical performance, reduction of medical errors, human factors in medicine, and the development of virtual reality-based medical simulation systems. Consulting functions in all these areas are a part of MedSMART's activity portfolio. Training Approach The original concept started by the Medical Readiness Trainer (MRT) scientists has now been substantially expanded by the same research group now affiliated with MedSMART. The main obstacles to long-distance simulation-based training have been solved by integrating advanced, remotely controlled Human Patient Simulators (HPS) into a fully interactive 3-D video-teleconferencing/telepointing Internet-based network whose geographical range is unlimited. The proprietary solutions devised by MedSMART allow the trainee to see and interact with the simulator located virtually anywhere in the world. The trainee can now practice skills of medical management, leadership, and team interaction without having physical access to the simulator, and yet face the same challenges as if the HPS were standing in the same room. Moreover, the MedSMART approach allows inclusion of an expert teacher as the director of each training exercise regardless of the teacher's location. Thus, the simulator may be located in Ann Arbor, Michigan, with trainees in Washington, D.C., while the expert teachers instructing on the medical techniques may be sitting in his or her office in one of London's teaching hospitals. All activities happen in real time, all participants (trainees and teachers) see the same pattern of vital signs on their monitors, and all hear the same dialogue and the same heart sounds. Whenever needed, the teacher can stop the simulator and provide additional instruction. When faults are discovered, the same scenario can be run repeatedly until the students fully master their skills. For the first time in the history of medicine, neither cost nor distance will prevent doctors, nurses, and paramedics all over the world from gaining access to the highest level of professional education and training that, to date, has only been available to the privileged few. Features:
Benefits:
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Ann Arbor, MI; The Chairman and Chief Scientist of MedSMART, Dr. Dag von Lubitz, retires from his active involvement with the company on the 1st April 2008. Under the leadership of von Lubitz, the company pioneered simulation-based advanced distributed learning (ADL), and subsequently deployed worldwide several routine education/training programs aimed at 1st Responders and medical personnel working in field, pre- and in-hospital settings. MedSMART also pioneered distributed, global-access simulation-based training for medical military personnel, and was the first to employ the concept of Medical Application Service Provider (MedASP) in multinational, transatlantic training in counter-bioterrorism measures. Von Lubitz transformed the company from a leading-edge, simulation-based training organization delivering worldwide educational content to an international think-tank devoted to the analysis of advanced technology and delivery platforms in medical training, homeland security, and disaster management operations. During his tenure at MedSMART, von Lubitz was the first to introduce then apply the principles of network-centric operations in non-military activities. Selected publications that present MedSMART's operations conducted during the period of his association with the company are accessible at this web-site (see Publications link). Von Lubitz will continue his association with the company as a consulting scientist. Mr. Howard Levine, B.Eng., will act as the Interim Chairman of MedSMART. Laureate of City of Laval Prize in Technology, Mr. Levine serves currently as the Executive Vice President and Director of Operations at Digital Realm, Inc, a highly successful next-generation company specializing in broadband internet access and data, video telephony and video delivery service over IP networks. Following education at the University of Michigan and a career as a cameraman in several feature films, Mr. Levine concentrated on the development of interactive e-commerce Web-based systems for some of the major companies in the USA. Mr. Levine played a critical role in the development of telemedicine systems at the University of Michigan. In addition to his leadership functions at Digital Realm, Mr. Levine is actively involved in the development of new methods in simulation-based distance medical education, and in the development of telemedical telecommunication platforms suitable for use in the Third World and in other technologically impoverished regions of the globe. Mr. Levine is the co-author of several peer-reviewed papers devoted to these topics.
Under direction of Howard, MedSMART will continue on its path of innovation and change initiated by von Lubitz.