When Rescue Annie was introduced in 1960, it was the beginning of a new era of simulation in medical procedures which allowed practitioners, students and clinicians the opportunity to practice and perfect life-saving techniques in a safe and controlled environment. Kristin Tivener, clinical instructor in the department of sports medicine and athletic training at Missouri State University, discusses the advances in medical training – specifically equipment that is a lot more lifelike and responsive than the old fashioned CPR dummy.

Tivener explains that fidelity, in the realm of the medical field, relates to the level of realness. For many years, low fidelity equipment, or task trainers have been used. But the current trend is high fidelity simulation to give clinicians and students a greater degree of realness.

Diagnosing a patient correctly takes critical thinking – ruling out illnesses and recognizing symptoms quickly in emergency situations. Now, sitting behind a one-way glass mirror, is the instructor that can cause a new symptom to appear or a dire set of circumstances that causes students to think on their feet. This is one of the primary advantages to this unique set of equipment.

While the simulation lab has been utilized by students from many departments in the College of Health and Human Services, Tivener says the faculty have begun collaborating to make it more interdisciplinary which more mimics how real health care professionals assess patients and develop care plans together.