Introducing Virginia's First Interdisciplinary Center for Immersive Technologies and Simulation
Preparing our students for the future of healthcare requires completely new ways of defining a “classroom” and preparing students for the evolving demands of public health education.
Virtual and augmented reality bring the learning experience to our students across all our degree programs – delivering hands-on learning in an immersive environment conducive to applying and acquiring skills. Students gain experience across the lifespan - from fetal and neonatal care to pediatric and geriatric care.
The Center for Immersive Technologies and Simulation plays an integral role in helping students gain the experiential learning required for on-time graduation and in delivering a curriculum focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion. The Center will play a leading role in providing practicum, field placement, and clinical hours.
"There is a growing body of evidence to support VR’s effectiveness in the classroom. Recent research from Mason professor and direct of the Virtual Reality and Simulation Lab Dr. Bethany Cieslowski found that immersive VR training is as effective — as inpatients training for students learning to provide care for acute care pediatric patients."
More than 1,500 square feet of dedicated VR/Simulation lab space
VR extends beyond the lab and is portable to other classrooms and meeting spaces. Any space can be a VR lab
Three state-of-the-art control rooms, each manages two simulation lab rooms
VR/Sim Equipment
28 high-fidelity VR simulators and augmented reality headsets
Cutting edge software and equipment for teaching curriculum across the lifespan, including pediatric, neonatal, obstetric, and geriatric care
State-of-the-art simulation hardware for. software, and simulation scenarios for pressing public health issues, including opioid use disorder, behavioral health, and memory care
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Curriculum Development
Interdisciplinary Learning Opportunities
Students from all disciplines will use the VR/Sim Lab to gain experiential learning
Standards-based simulation curriculum is integrated into course objectives to ensure a holistic learning experience
The VR/Sim Lab will extend learning opportunities in areas such as OB/GYN, pediatrics, and gerontology where it can be difficult to earn sufficient clinical hours
Facilitated Simulation Debriefs
“The technology is not the innovation—the technology enables the innovation,” says Bethany Cieslowski, VR/Sim Lab Coordinator. “The learning really comes from the pre- and post-simulation briefings where students receive feedback and learn from the actions that result from critical thinking processes.”
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
The VR/Sim Lab will play an integral role in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion curriculum at the College and beyond. Students, faculty, and community partners can simulate learning experiences to build cultural competencies and prepare students for in-person clinical experiences.
“The learning really comes from the pre- and post-simulation briefings where students receive feedback and learn from the actions that result from critical thinking processes.”
Bethany Cieslowski, Chief Innovation Officer
“Obstetric and pediatric clinical opportunities are often limited for students– but with simulations, every student can participate in delivering a baby. The technology is not only cool but can help students complete their clinical requirements more efficiently.”
Cheryl Oetjen, Professor, School of Nursing at Mason
"The Center for Immersive Technologies and Simulation is a safe environment for students to learn and develop a plan to treat their patients. It’s a great exercise to improve critical thinking, a must-have quality in medical field.”
Sindhu Mallala, Simulation Coordinator
Mission
Our Mission at the Center for Immersive Technologies and Simulation at the College of Public Health at George Mason university is to empower excellence through digital innovation. By leveraging cutting-edge technology, we aim to enhance the overarching mission of the CPH through collaboration, research, and innovation. GMU is dedicated to revolutionizing interprofessional education and practice, ultimately advancing healthcare on a global scale
Vision
The Center for Immersive Technologies and Simulation at GMU CPH is focused on utilizing simulation to enhance learning and improve clinical practice while advancing the field by:
Prioritizing a learner-centered, service-oriented organization.
Designing and implementing training that incorporates state-of-the-art simulation techniques and equipment for measurable skill transferability and improvements in patient safety.
Incorporating health simulation into the training curriculum for learners, clinicians and staff at all levels in all specialties.
Leveraging simulation as a technique to drive successful change within individuals, interprofessional teams, departments, entities and across the system.
Contributing to the published field of research surrounding innovative applications of simulation-based methodologies.
Cultivating strategic partnerships with corporate sponsors, academic and healthcare organizations to advance simulation.
