Commercially available simulators offer significant advantages in health professions education by providing standardized tools and avoiding the inefficiencies of each institution developing its own. However, these simulators often lack flexibility, as features not intended by the manufacturer are unavailable. In this presentation, we explore how institutions can strike a balance by utilizing commercially available simulators while enhancing their functionality through targeted modifications and quality-of-life improvements.
We describe how we extended the capabilities of a fundoscopy trainer by printing additional retinal findings beyond the manufacturer-provided set. These findings were mounted on custom-designed 3D-printed slanted slides to minimize light reflection. Lenses were developed to simulate anterior segment pathologies. Similarly, we modified a tympanic membrane inspection simulator to display findings not originally included. This involved refining the mounting process to ensure accurate positioning of findings within the sliced-open silicone ear model.
The success of this initiative relied on interprofessional collaboration among medical education experts, clinicians, mediamaticians, and skilled craftspersons. These efforts enabled the integration of customized findings into simulators, broadening their diagnostic range and reclaiming curricular control from manufacturers. Technological advancements in imaging provide ongoing opportunities to improve the quality of findings adapted for simulators, but they also necessitate continuous updates to adaptation processes.
There remains a strong need for collaboration among institutions in health professions education to share techniques, processes, and successful adaptations of commercially available simulators. By fostering this exchange, institutions can better meet their individual needs and collectively enhance the impact of simulation-based education.
