Nursing students treat model patient

BY JEFF BELL, TIMES COLONIST

Nurses and other healthcare students at Camosun College have a new colleague to assist them in learning the ropes.

He's called METIman, a computerized patient simulator that helps with training for an array of medical situations. The name comes from the Florida-based company behind the device, Medical Education Technologies Inc.

Funding toward the purchase came to the Camosun College Foundation from the Telus Victoria Community Board ($18,000), the Sisters of St. Ann ($10,000) and Camosun nursing alumnus Robin Bridge ($5,000).

"The generosity was incredible," said Barbara Herringer, dean of health and human services at Camosun.

The donation from the Sisters of St. Ann continues their longheld commitment to health care in the region, which stretches back to 1876 and the establishment of St. Joseph's Hospital.

At $36,000, METIman delivers wireless, web-based capacity and touch-screen software that generates medical scenarios ranging from the routine to emergencies. It can even present mental-health and community-health situations to the user.

"It's not only a great teaching tool but it's a fabulous learning tool for the students," said Herringer.

"It really is a way to engage students in not only patient care but also critical thinking."

She said METIman is incredibly realistic, and indicates a human's vital signs. "They breathe, they die, you can inject them." The devices can also change gender, Herringer said.

METIman is mobile, as well, which helps to broaden its use. It will be available to more than 800 Camosun nursing students for training, along with 180 of their colleagues from the University of Victoria. Another 50 or more Vancouver Island Health Authority staff will be able to use it for refresher courses each year.

Along with registered nurses, Camosun trains licensed-practical nurses, community health-care workers and health-care assistants.