Establishing the Dick Vet Immersive Simulation Environment (DiVISE)

School:  Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies

Team Members:  Kristina Pollock, Stephen Greenhalgh, Jessie Paterson, Eoghan Clarkson, Rachael Gregson, Julie Duncan, Susan Rhind

Abstract

This project will set up an immersive simulation environment to promote clinical skill acquisition in veterinary undergraduates. Building on current practice, which utilises low fidelity simulators to teach clinical skills concepts, the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies has purchased the first commercially-available, high-fidelity canine simulator. We are the first vet school in the UK to use an advanced, high-fidelity canine manikin to teach clinical skills and aim to maximise learning by developing innovative simulation scenarios in an immersive simulation environment. Veterinary undergraduate students will play an active part in developing the environment and clinical scenarios. It is anticipated that, as well as enhancing veterinary undergraduates’ practical clinical skills, the Dick Vet Immersive Simulation Environment (DiVISE) will promote additional key graduate attributes in participants, such as confidence, communication skills and clinical reasoning. In the same way that simulation has become a cornerstone of medical education, DiVISE has the potential to offer similar benefits to veterinary undergraduates at the University of Edinburgh.