Health experts tap into TRU labs for skills building course – TRU Newsroom
Registered nurses, respiratory therapists and physicians from Interior Health work on their skills at TRU’s Sherman Jen Simulation Centre.
The Sherman Jen Simulation Centre in Thompson Rivers University’s (TRU) nursing building is the first university-based simulation lab to be used by a group of external health professionals for a two-day Stabilization Essentials in Pediatrics (StEP) course.
On May 30 and 31, Interior Health Critical Care and Maternal Newborn Child and Youth Networks, along with BC Children’s Hospital and Child Health BC hosted a two-day Stabilization Essentials in Pediatrics (StEP) course at the TRU simulation centre. With the goal to equip health-care workers with skills in caring for critically ill children, the course catered to registered nurses, respiratory therapists and physicians in the Interior Health region.
The lab inside the Chappell Family Building for Nursing and Population Health proved to be an ideal environment for health-care professionals to enhance their skills and build confidence in a team-based setting by facilitating group learning and incorporating both high- and low-fidelity modalities.
“The TRU School of Nursing Simulation Based Learning Centre is open for collaboration and partnership, dedicated to supporting simulation-based health-care education at all levels,” said Michael Lundin, simulation centre director.
“We are pleased to have a strategic partnership with IH Simulation, enabling us to share infrastructure and resources for cross-learning and practical problem-solving. This partnership allows us to leverage each other’s strengths, fostering a dynamic environment for nurses and health-care professionals to develop their skills and expertise.”
Children with critical illnesses require specialized care, typically provided at a children-focused hospital department or a specialized centre like BC Children’s Hospital. In an emergency, every minute counts. When health-care staff in non-pediatric settings receive further specialized training, they can provide more effective and timely interventions, leading to better patient outcomes.
“In the ever-evolving field of medicine, continuing education is our compass. It guides us through new discoveries, emerging treatments, and evolving best practices. Lifelong learning isn’t just a professional obligation; it’s our commitment to delivering the best care,” said Dr. Trent Smith, medical director, Child and Youth Network, Interior Health.
The StEP program was designed for this purpose. It has been held in several health authorities to equip care providers with more skills in caring for critically ill children. The curriculum covers rapid assessment, stabilization and ongoing management using a combination of lectures, simulations and workshops.
Following the inaugural courses held for Northern Health and Fraser Health, this year StEP was brought to health-care workers in the Interior Health and Island Health regions. Teams from various sites across the region —rural and urban — came together collaboratively to learn about pediatric care.