Associate Editor’s Message

As we look forward to gathering in-person for the PCICS annual conference in December, I have been lucky to join a team of PCICS educators in building a multi-disciplinary pre-conference, which will offer several high-fidelity simulations. Our planning discussions have highlighted the creative ways in which colleagues are using medical simulation to optimize education at their institutions.

Since the 1960s, simulation has become a pillar of medical education. It is particularly applicable in pediatric cardiac critical care, to optimize team communication and dynamics, to delve into the nuanced and sometimes counterintuitive management required by our fragile patients, and to hone procedural skills.¹ PCICS has already been a leader in this area with the development of the PCICS Simulation and APP curricula, which are an excellent foundation for medical simulation education in pediatric cardiac intensive care. Physical distancing measures during the Covid-19 pandemic have spurred new approaches, including increased use of telesimulation and virtual reality platforms to allow learners to interact while apart.   

Simulation is an evolving tool, and we are delighted to share the innovative ways in which our pediatric cardiac critical care colleagues are applying this learning modality. This edition includes several insightful editorials: Michelle Pileggi, a clinical education nurse specialist, discusses the expanding applications of medical simulation in nursing education and onboarding. Dr. Loren Sacks leads us through the current and potential applications of virtual reality in medical simulation. Finally, Dr. Candace Mannarino introduces a novel temporary pacemaker curriculum in development at Lurie Children’s. Of course, this is just a tiny sliver of the many applications of simulation in our field.

We hope this newsletter will serve as a catalyst for discussion and collaboration and that you will share your innovative applications of medical simulation with us on Twitter (@PCICS2) using #PCICSNews.

Very much looking forward to seeing you all in Miami!

1. Choudhury TA, Flyer JN, McBride ME. Simulation as an Educational Tool in the Pediatric Cardiac Intensive Care Unit. Curr Pediatr Rep. 2021;9(3):52-59.