UAE's first Clinical Simulation Conference opens to highlight physician training for patient safety

The conference, organized by Dubai Healthcare City (DHCC), gives a global voice to the need for simulation training in medical curricula and hospital settings

Dubai, February 26, 2014

The majority of medical errors are the result of human factors' breakdown such as poor communication, inadequate monitoring, failure to cross-check drugs and equipment rather than the lack of technical knowledge.

Between medical theory and practice lies simulation training, giving students and health professionals the opportunity to practise team dynamics and problem-solving skills to ensure patient safety.

The need for simulation training in curricula and settings like hospitals and emergency departments is the agenda for global healthcare experts who gathered on February 26, 2014 for the UAE’s First Clinical Simulation Conference (CSC) being held at the Mohammed Bin Rashid Academic Medical Centre (MBR-AMC) at Dubai Healthcare City (DHCC).

The MBR-AMC is home to the Khalaf Ahmad Al Habtoor Medical Simulation Centre (KHMSC), the first comprehensive training facility of its kind in the region, featuring interactive human- patient simulators.

Organized by DHCC, a health and wellness destination that brings together a wealth of services in healthcare, medical education and research, the two-day Simulation Conference is endorsed by the Society in Europe for Simulation Applied to Medicine (SESAM).

The Conference opened in the presence of His Excellency Khalaf Ahmad Al Habtoor, Emirati philanthropist, chairman of the Al Habtoor Group, and one of the special patrons of the KHMSC. Marwan Abedin, the CEO of DHCC, delivered the welcome speech, talking about DHCC’s scope in furthering medical education. Dr. Basil Matta, Divisional Director of Emergency and Perioperative Care from the Cambridge University Hospitals Trust, UK, delivered the opening speech on the ‘importance of training on mannequins, not patients, followed by the keynote address by Dr Ralf Krage, President of SESAM.

Dr. Krage said, “Patient care is becoming increasingly complex. Healthcare professionals have to work in teams rather than as individuals. The skills necessary to deliver excellent team performance are usually not covered in curricula. Doctors and nurses often underestimate the effects of stress on performance, which emphasize the need for a new safety culture.”

Dr Krage explained that the ‘Human Factor’ plays an important role in healthcare. He said, “Knowledge and training in human factor related clinical situations are crucial for improvements in patient safety.”

Dr Amer Sharif, Managing Director – Education, DHCC said: “We, at DHCC, are committed to promoting a culture of safety in the healthcare sector. The importance of simulation-based training hasn’t been highlighted in the region as prominently as it has been through the Conference. We look forward to benefitting from the Conference to produce tangible results that ultimately improve standards of patient safety.”

On the ‘human factors’ topic, Dr. Nicklas Dahlstrom, Human Factors Manager, Flight Operations Training, Emirates Airline, and speaker on the second day of the conference, said: “The relation between the fields of medicine and aviation is now one of mutual learning. I am delighted to share the aviation perspective on simulation and to learn about the latest developments in medical simulation and team training from top experts in the field.”

Through sessions, presentations, case studies, and scenario preparations, the opening day of the Simulation Conference focuses on simulation training inclusion in medical curricula, and on the second day, different aspects of simulation-based training in settings like aviation, nursing and emergency medicine.