Clinical simulation has established itself as one of the most innovative and transformative teaching methodologies in the education of future healthcare professionals. In the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, this strategic commitment has been part of its DNA for over 28 years; a commitment which culminated in 2015 with the creation of the Comprehensive Centre for Advanced Simulation (CISA) on the Sant Cugat Campus. 

With over 1,000 m² dedicated entirely to simulation, the CISA is celebrating its tenth anniversary having become a veritable healthcare ecosystem within a university. Inside, it realistically recreates multiple healthcare settings and provides students from bioscience- and health-related degree programmes the opportunity to practise procedures and make clinical decisions in a safe environment. The experience goes beyond technology: each scenario is designed to encourage reflection and transform practice into learning through teacher guidance and post-simulation debriefings.

“This model helps students feel more confident and secure when treating real patients for the first time, as they will have already practised numerous procedures in a simulated environment. They arrive with confidence, security and, most importantly, the experience of having made mistakes before in a safe environment,” explains the dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Dr Esther Calbo. “Simulation also promotes the development of cross-disciplinary competencies such as communication, teamwork and leadership in high-pressure situations, which are essential in clinical practice,” adds the dean.

With over 28 years of experience, the simulation-based teaching model employed by the Faculty across all disciplines combines technological innovation – including high-fidelity mannequins, standardised patients and virtual and augmented reality systems – with comprehensive training based on the affective-effective model. “This distinctive approach places the person at the centre and provides future healthcare professionals not only the opportunity to gain experience with technical and procedural skills, but also with key cross-cutting competencies, fostering interprofessional cooperation among different healthcare profiles,” stresses Dr Calbo.

Through its close ties to leading hospitals in the region – Hospital Universitari General de Catalunya, Hospital General de Granollers and Consorci Sanitari de Terrassa (CST) – the Faculty is able to go a step further in training future healthcare professionals, offering them the opportunity to apply the knowledge acquired in the classroom at hospitals with which it shares the mission of teaching and promoting research and patient care.