With the rapid shift to online teaching as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, many institutions turned to virtual simulation (VS) as a replacement for in-person clinicals. But what many educators are also discovering is that the benefits of integrating VS into their curricula extends far beyond clinical replacement.

During this webinar, our panel of experts discussed the ways in which virtual simulation can help bridge the gap between learning in the classroom to practicing in the real world through COVID-19 and beyond.

In the recent webinar "Beyond COVID-19: Utilizing Virtual Simulation for Student Success," panelists explored topics such as:

• Use cases for VS in healthcare curricula beyond just clinical replacement such as remediation and objective evaluation, clinical makeup, and boosting student confidence and engagement in a safe and controlled environment
• remediation and increased cohort success, boosting students confidence and engagement in a safe and controlled environment, and so much more
• Examples of successful implementation at Medical, Graduate Nursing, and Physician Assistant schools
• How to overcome the challenges of implementation and adoption of VS from student and institutional perspectives
• The path forward for VS in terms of long term curriculum development and emergency contingency plans.

Our panelists included:

Jason Fromm, MD, Medical Director, School of Physician Assistant Studies, Assistant Professor, College of Medicine, University of Florida

Jason Fromm, MD has served as Medical Director at the School of Physician Assistant Studies, University of Florida since 2003. He is a graduate of the Indiana University School of Medicine and completed his residency in internal medicine at Florida. His clinical expertise is in hospital medicine. In his role with the School of Physician Assistant Studies, he provides curriculum guidance, lectures to both didactic and clinical year students, and precepts clinical students. His academic interests are in diabetes care, palliation and symptom management, antibiotic selection, congestive heart failure, and teaching medical professionalism through the use of film.

Elaine Kauschinger, Ph.D., MSN, APRN, FNP-BC, Assistant Professor, Duke University School of Nursing

Dr. Elaine Kauschinger is an Assistant Professor of Clinical Nursing and Primary Care Adolescent & Adult Course Coordinator at the Duke University School of Nursing and a  family nurse practitioner. Previously, she was the FNP Program Director at the University of Miami.  Her expertise in virtual simulation resulted in membership in the NONPF Simulation in NP Education Committee and is the current Chair of the Simulation Special Interest Group (SIG). She has a deep understanding of the needs of NP educators have moving forward with virtual simulation. Her NONPF leadership also includes being Co-chair of the Distance-based SIG.  She has been appointed as a NLN Commission for Nursing Education Accreditations clinical nursing evaluator, served as STTI Membership Chairperson (Beta Epsilon) and Governance Committee Chairperson (Beta Tau). 

Dr. Kauschinger has presented on a variety of NP education and primary care topics at national and international conferences. She has authored several books chapters on primary care, nursing education and NP board review preparation.  She earned a BS in Psychology from Manhattan College, MSN from Pace University/NY Medical College and a PhD from the University of Miami. Her current clinical practice is as a FNP at a forensic hospital. 

Frances C. Purcell, Ph.D., Provost and Dean, Trinity Medical Sciences University, Trinity School of Medicine 

Dr. Frances Carter Purcell, a respected educator and administrator with nearly 30 years’ experience, has served as provost of the Trinity Medical Sciences University and dean of the Trinity School of Medicine since 2019. Prior to joining the Trinity team, Purcell served as the assistant dean of curriculum for the southeast campus of the Medical College of Georgia at Augusta University. Additionally, Purcell created the only medical student driven Medical Reserve Corps disaster response unit in the nation for which she received an award from the American Association of Medical Colleges. Dr. Purcell has also served as a successful facilitator and consultant for issues surrounding public health, leading several cities within Georgia and developing plans for a continuum of care for children and adolescents. In addition, she has served on the board of directors for the Central Georgia Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure, the Georgia Public Health Association, and the Magnolia Coastlands Area Health Education Network.

Moderated by:

Chris Cimino, MD, FACMI, VP & Chief Medical Officer of Kaplan Medical

Dr. Cimino has earned a reputation internationally as an award-winning medical educator. He was the founding Assistant Dean for Educational Informatics at Albert Einstein College of Medicine and former Associate Dean for Student Affairs at New York Medical College. He is board certified in Neurology and Clinical Informatics. He served as a member of the NBME Step 1 Behavioral Science Committee and the NBME End of Life Care Task Force.