On 6 May, the Sant Cugat Campus hosted the institutional event marking the 10th anniversary of the Comprehensive Centre for Advanced Simulation, attended by the mayor of Sant Cugat del Vallès, Mr Josep Maria Vallès, and the rector of the University, Dr Alfonso Méndiz. The event was also attended by other institutional representatives, including Ms Núria Fernández, Councillor for Health at Sant Cugat Town Council; Mr Miguel Ángel Cazcarra, Chair of the Board of Trustees of UIC Barcelona; and Dr Josep M. Torné, University Manager

During his address, the Mayor of Sant Cugat stated that it is an honour for the city to play home to this training centre, which “puts innovation at the service of future healthcare professionals, with more human and individual care.” He also underscored the importance of “producing and retaining local talent” and congratulated UIC Barcelona on the CISA’s decade of activity.

For his part, the Rector of UIC Barcelona noted that the CISA represents “a fundamental component in the University’s health sciences educational project”, which since its creation has been committed to “training based on practice and safety, a space where students can learn and make mistakes without risk.” This facility has also made it possible to “consolidate the affective-effective model, placing the patient at the centre and understanding care as something profoundly human.” 

Following the speeches, Dr Encarna Rodríguez, director of the Department of Nursing, opened the session by reviewing the evolution of the Comprehensive Centre for Advanced Simulation over the past ten years, as well as the use of clinical simulation as a teaching methodology. This was followed by the round-table discussion “Present and Future of Simulation: Training, Clinical Practice and Management”, which brought together leading professionals from the academic and health sectors to reflect on the present and future of clinical simulation. Moderated by Dr Jordi Castillo, vice-president of the Spanish Society for Clinical Simulation and Patient Safety (SESSEP) and head of Life Support Training in the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences at UIC Barcelona, the round table featured prominent figures from the field of clinical simulation.

More specifically, participants included Dr Marcos Pérez Carrasco,  head of the Intensive Care Unit at Parc Taulí University Hospital; Dr Aida Camps, deputy director of the Simulation and Patient Safety Chair and lecturer and researcher in the Faculty of Health Sciences at UManresa; Dr Montse Virumbrales, deputy director and researcher in the Department of Medicine in the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences at UIC Barcelona; Dr Mónica Rodríguez Carballeira, director of Teaching and head of the Vall d’Hebron Centre for Advanced Clinical Simulation (VHiSCA); and Mr Franc Espinar, director of Projects and Operations at 4D Health.

The event concluded with remarks from the dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dr Esther Calbo, followed by a visit to the facilities, where participants experienced first-hand the innovative and immersive teaching methodologies used at the CISA.

The 10th anniversary of the CISA reflects the commitment to clinical simulation that began more than 28 years ago with the founding of the University and culminated in 2015 with the inauguration of the CISA on the Sant Cugat Campus.

Discover the CISA.