The Deteriorating Patient (Wiseman & Snell, 2008) is a low-fidelity simulation activity that provides medical students with opportunities for deliberate practice and feedback within a safe environment. The clinical teacher takes on the role of a patient with deteriorating vital signs. Students have to decide what steps to take in treating or stabilizing the patient, and the case evolves in response to the their actions. Throughout the activity, students get the opportunity to compare their thinking to an expert as well as to more senior students. During debriefing, students are supported by the teacher in reflection on their actions during the scenario.
Further work with the Deteriorating Patient activity includes examining the role of technology in supporting the collaborative aspects of this activity (Lu & Lajoie, 2008), as well as the role of culture and emotion.
Related Publications
Lu, J., & Lajoie, S.P. (2008). Supporting medical decision making with argumentation tools. Contemporary Educational Psychology, 33(3), 425-442.Wiseman, J., & Snell, L. (2008). The Deteriorating Patient: a realistic but 'low-tech' simulation of emergency decision-making. The Clinical Teacher, 5(2), 93-97.