Pediatric Human Simulation Education (HSE)

The KidSIM Pediatric Simulation Program run out of the Alberta Children’s Hospital has been training health care professionals both as individuals and as part of interprofessional teams since October of 2005. Since that time, the KidSIM Program has become a world-class program, known for delivering top-notch educational programs and conducting cutting-edge research.

Through on-going support from the Department of Pediatrics and the Alberta Children’s Hospital Foundation, the program boasts greater than 100 trained simulation education facilitators, 15 high-fidelity mannequins spanning infancy to adolescence, and a 3,600 square foot simulation center on the 4th floor of the ACH. The KidSIM Program is involved in the delivery of high quality interprofessional pediatric simulation education to over 4,800 learners per year, from undergraduate learners to practicing health care professionals to families and caregivers, both at the Alberta Children’s Hospital site, as well as via outreach education to providers in the broader Calgary community, and regional and rural healthcare providers in Southern Alberta and Southeastern.

The KidSIM-ASPIRE (Assessing Simulation in Pediatrics Improving Resuscitation Events) Simulation Research Program at Alberta Children’s Hospital was established to bring together an interprofessional group of Alberta-based leaders in clinical care, research methodology, education, human factors and psychology interested in improving the delivery of healthcare to sick infants and children. Our team has developed a solid foundation which positions us well to address the main objectives of the acute and life-saving care pillar of ACH. Studies are formulated to identify novel and innovative methods of healthcare delivery in order to improve effectiveness and efficiency of care. In our collaborative research model, we also aim to facilitate the academic growth of young investigators and trainees by exposing them to established mentors both locally and worldwide and nurturing the skills necessary to become successful researchers.

KidSIM ASPIRE Research Pillars

1. CPR Cardiac Arrest: Develop, assess and implement novel techniques for improving CPR and care of pediatric patients suffering from cardiac arrest
2. Team Training: Develop, assess and implement innovative techniques for team training in order to improve life-saving care for pediatric patients
3. Family Centered Care: Design and evaluate unique simulation based training opportunities for families of pediatric patients to help enhance the care they provide to their children in the home environment
4. Debriefing & Feedback: Evaluate existing and new methods of post-simulation and post-resuscitation debriefing for the purposes of improving healthcare provider performance and patient outcomes
5. Technology in the Resuscitation Room: Develop and study new technology designed to interact with healthcare providers in the resuscitation environment to improve process of care and patient outcomes
6. Interprofessional Education: Assess and evaluate the impact of various models of interprofessional training on healthcare provider skills, knowledge and behaviors