Newswise — MAYWOOD, Il. - Students, residents and fellows training to be doctors and nurses increasingly are using remarkably lifelike mannequins, virtual reality and other simulation technology.

They are learning, for example, how to treat a heart attack or stroke, or practice procedures such as inserting breathing tubes and catheters, said William C. McGaghie, PhD, director of the Ralph P. Leischner, Jr., MD, Institute for Medical Education at Loyola University Chicago Stritch School of Medicine.

Simulation technology is safer for patients than traditional teaching methods, in which students and trainees practiced skills – and made beginners’ mistakes – on live patients, McGaghie said.

“It’s an entirely new way of educating doctors and nurses, and it works,” McGaghie said.

On May 24, the Ralph P. Leischner, Jr., MD, Institute for Medical Education will host a conference on mannequins and other simulation technology. The conference will be held at Loyola's Stritch School of Medicine, 2160 S. First Ave, Maywood, Il.

Here is the symposium schedule: 8:30 AM Registration and Continental Breakfast

8:55 AM Welcome William C. McGaghie, PhD Director, Leischner Institute for Medical Education

9:00 AM Mastery Learning of Essential Clinical SkillsDiane B. Wayne, MD Northwestern University 10:00 AM Break 10:15 AM Medical Education Research as Translational Science Jeffrey H. Barsuk, MD, MS Northwestern University

11:15 AM Publication Opportunities in Health Professional Education Panel – William C. McGaghie, PhD, Jeffrey H. Barsuk, MD, MS, Diane B. Wayne, MD

12:00 PM Certificate in Academic Medicine Graduation Ceremony

12:15 PM Presentation of Ralph P. Leischner, Jr., MD Master Teacher Award 12:30 PM Reception and Lunch

RSVP to: Gregory Gale ([email protected])