Touro University Nevada Opens New Clinicial Skills Learning Space Part Of State-Of-The-Art Simulation Center
The new OSCE space part of Touro University was opened by Casey Maurice, Dr. Alan Kadish, Dr. Wolfgang Gilliar
Touro University Nevada’s Michael Tang Regional Center for Clinical Simulation unveils the new Objective Structured Clinical Examination (OSCE) space that has expanded now to 9,000 square feet with advanced capabilities. OSCE is an essential element of simulated learning that demonstrates the university’s commitment to fostering a hands-on, experiential learning approach that prepares healthcare workers to meet the challenges of the modern medical landscape. This advanced OSCE space will provide students and community partners with a realistic environment that bridges classroom learning to real life to develop clinical skills through simulated scenarios.
“Our simulation center is on the forefront for providing students a top-notch learning environment designed to allow them to safely learn effective patient care,” said Dr. Patricia Salkin, Provost & Chief Academic Officer. “Mastering a wide range of clinical skills is essential before graduation, and a well-designed OSCE environment equips students to approach their rotations and residencies with confidence.”
With this new addition, students will have the opportunity to engage in diverse scenarios that test their diagnostic, communication, and problem-solving skills in a controlled, supportive setting. The space includes 20 exam rooms that are fully equipped with high-definition audio video technology, which are an integral part of learning process as they reexamine their encounters for better future care and patient interactions. Students work with patient actors who have been given a backstory and diagnosis to present to the student who must then practice communication, listening, diagnosing, and treatment that they would do in a real clinic setting.
“This is the first time a student will have the experience of walking in an exam room and introducing themselves as a student doctor,” said Casey Maurice, Director of the Simulation Center. “It is a huge first step for them where they have to step into their role new not just as student, but as a future physician.”
The technological advancements integrated into the space will allow for osteopathic medicine, physician assistant, and family nurse practitioner students to work on their telehealth skills. Maurice shared, “in the post pandemic era, telehealth has become a mainstay in patient care, but it does require a slightly different approach than what they are used to practicing with in person patient interactions.”
In the last academic year, Touro Nevada students had over 100 OSCE events and accrued 6,700 individual learner hours. Students will have increased access to OSCE learning opportunities that will allow for more frequent encounters and also bridge gaps in experiences from clinical rotations. In real world patient interactions students will most likely encounter more of the common issues, while in OSCE they are able to practice the rare and more difficult cases that are unlikely to occur in clinics.
“This is truly where OSCE shines, in giving our students the opportunities to have the tricky diagnosis, the challenging patients, or the hard conversations that are essential in them becoming practiced professionals,” shared Maurice. “We will also be able to bring in community partners to further give our students new and varied learning experiences.”
Touro Nevada’s simulation center is the first fully accredited center in Nevada that supports all the programs part of the university, and this new space reflects a shared vision for excellence in healthcare education and a dedication to producing competent and compassionate medical professionals.
Learn more about Touro University Nevada at tun.touro.edu