CPHS Hosts First Interprofessional Simulation Medical Competition

The College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences held its first Interprofessional Simulation Medical Competition with the assistance of Laerdal Medical on January 17. The purpose of this competition was to give students an opportunity to participate in an interprofessional experience and to provide an awareness of various health professions in the college including Clinical Laboratory Science, Paramedic, Pharmacy, Physician Assistant, and Radiologic Science. 

The activity began with a “Get to Know You” day on January 7, where participants from each profession described their role and responsibilities in health care. Students then participated in several hands-on activities related to each profession, such as learning about taking x-rays for Radiologic Sciences, analyzing data with the Clinical Laboratory Science Program, practicing procedures with the Physician Assistant students, touring an ambulance with the paramedics, and learning more about a pharmacy from Pharmacy students.  

The competition consisted of a medical sepsis case that was simulated on a full-body simulator with the help of Michael Jacoby, M.P.H., E.M.T. from Laerdal and Stacey L. Singer-Leshinsky, M.S.Ed., RPAC, Associate Professor/Industry Professional, Physician Assistant program, CPHS. Louise Lee, Ed.D., Program Director of the Physician Assistant program and Assistant Professor/Industry Professional, acted as the concerned family member. 

This full-body simulator is a mannequin that can respond like a real patient. The purpose of full-body simulators is to allow students to practice lifesaving skills in a safe environment with no risk of patient harm. Participating students were broken into teams of two students from each of the five professions: two from Clinical Laboratory Science, two from Paramedic, two from Pharmacy, two from Physician Assistant, and two from Radiologic Science programs, resulting in three teams with 10 interprofessional students. 

Students were judged by an interprofessional team of judges consisting of faculty, graduates, and professionals from other organizations and universities including Stony Brook, Fire Department of NY Division of Training, and VEEB Nursing School. There was an interprofessional audience of more than 100 observers who voted for the best team through audience response. 

Teams were judged on teamwork skills, communication, clinical decisions, and their specific clinical expertise based on their profession. The competition was fierce. 

Pizza was provided by the College with the help of Victor Politi, M.D., Medical Director of the Physician Assistant program. Dr. Politi also provided medals for all participants. The winning team was the Resuscitators; The Life Savers came in second, and the Trauma Troopers came in third. Dr. Politi also provided appreciation plaques for all judges.