ACCP Simulation Goes Global

I just returned from the Middle East, where I was able to witness firsthand an advanced difficult airway course offered by the ACCP in Saudi Arabia. This was a valuable experience for me—I became better informed about the richness of the culture and the country and confirmed my belief that physicians, nurses, and other allied health professionals from around the world want to deliver the best possible care for their patients. This caring and desire knows no borders. The course was expertly led by Kevin Doerschug, MD, FCCP; and Chad Jackson, MS, RRT, CHT, with the assistance of other members of the ACCP team. Kevin and Chad worked very hard and put in some very long days to ensure an optimal learning environment and experience for the learners, despite some significant handicaps of their own—both had very recent knee surgery and were either on crutches or setting off metal detectors at every opportunity.

What impressed me most was that, although the participants came from a very diverse background, including pulmonologists, anesthesiologists, internists, anesthetists, nurses, and respiratory therapists, they were unified in the common goal of better managing the difficult airway. Their desire to improve their skills, the learning intensity they demonstrated, and the smiles and laughter they displayed after a job well done was truly rewarding to witness. Each participant was motivated to build their existing skills and learn from each other as a team, for the betterment of the patient.

The ACCP will be significantly enhancing its already state-of-the-art simulation offerings, including many train-the-trainer opportunities. This year alone, we've already offered courses in bronchoscopy and interventional pulmonology, ultrasonography in the ICU, mechanical ventilation management, and airway management, and we have added sessions due to the high demand. More courses are already scheduled in the ACCP educational events calendar. Our high-fidelity simulation training is already second to none, and we're working hard to make it even better with more scenarios, more locations, more choices, and more high-fidelity simulations. The ACCP has been listening to its members who clearly believe this will be a big part of the future of professional learning and complement our core educational programs, such as CHEST 2011 and our Board Review courses. The ACCP has also recognized that simulation training is more than just buying a few medical simulator mannequins that are technologically advanced. Simulation training is really about designing, delivering, and evaluating the vivid, real-life medical experiences to ensure participants are better trained and more confident with anything that may challenge them at the bedside.

I'd like to hear about your thoughts about simulation training. Please share some of your experiences with us using the comments field below.

PS: If you like the photos above, be sure to "Like" ACCP on Facebook. We frequently post photos from our educational events and welcome your participation in this community! 

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About From the Presidents

To enhance coordination and collaboration among ACCP members and leaders like you, the College launched the From the Presidents blog. From the Presidentswill feature blogs about the College, medical and health-care issues, the medical profession, and other member-related topics of interest. The posts will be written by David D. Gutterman, MD, FCCP, ACCP Immediate Past President; Suhail Raoof, MBBS, FCCP, ACCP President; Darcy D. Marciniuk, MD, FCCP, ACCP President-Elect; and Michael Baumann, MD, FCCP, President-Designate. Learn more about the presidents.

The goals of From the Presidents,as described by ACCP President David Gutterman, are twofold. First, the presidents want to directly inform members about issues important to the ACCP. Second, the presidents want to encourage two-way conversations by soliciting feedback from members on these issues and encourage member input on other items of relevance to the College.