UK PA, MSU Nursing Students Participate in Patient Simulations

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Nov. 30, 2010) − Physician assistant (PA) students at the University of Kentucky College of Health Sciences and Morehead State University nursing students will participate in a cutting-edge interprofessional and inter-institutional medical training program on Dec. 3.

The program is composed of a series of patient care simulations using computerized mannequins and live actor patients. PA and nursing students will be grouped as medical teams and, under the supervision of both UK and Morehead State faculty members, will evaluate, diagnose and treat patients in a mock hospital environment.

"These simulations take medical education to a new level," said Michael Cooper, site director of the Morehead Campus of the Physician Assistant Studies program in the UK College of Health Sciences. "These simulations allow our students to develop critical medical decision-making skills in a safe environment while learning to function as part of a multidisciplinary team. While other institutions around the nation are exploring such approaches to medical education, we are doing it here.”

Created though a unique partnership between UK, St. Claire Regional Medical Center and Morehead State University, the Center for Health Education and Research (CHER) is the ideal location for such groundbreaking efforts. In addition to the UK Physician Assistant Program, the facility is home to Morehead State Nursing and Imaging Sciences programs.

Simulations will take place in the CHER building, located at 316 West Second Street in Morehead.