Case Study 17A: using technology to teach clinical skills

Abstract

This case study describes a two-year pilot project using virtual case simulation to enable the acquisition of clinical skills at the University of Southampton School of Nursing and Midwifery (SONAM), the second largest such school in the United Kingdom. The projected shortfall of the required numbers of health professionals, especially in English-speaking nations and particularly among nurses is being addressed in the United Kingdom primarily by means of a significant increase in education and training. The SONAM responded to this imperative by expanding its pre-registration education programs by approximately 300 percent over the past six years, with an annual intake of 750 students. Ironically, as student enrolments have increased, our service organisations’ ability to absorb students and provide clinical experience has decreased markedly