Which Simulation Solution Is Right for your CTE Program?

Health Sciences Education

Which Simulation Solution Is Right for Your Program?

Use the grid below to determine which types of solutions might best meet your needs based on modality and level of support. To get you started, we’ve recommended some potential solutions.

Simulation Modalities	Level of Required Technical Support	Featured Simulation Solution
Standardized Patients Trained actors play the role of the "patient", giving learners an opportunity to practice their communication, diagnostic, and assessment skills.	Less technical support is required; however, subject matter expertise is critical. Actors need to be informed of the appropriate patient behaviors and responses to maintain a realistic "scene" for learners.	A realistic patient environment and any supplemental medical equipment needed to bring the patient case to life.
Skills Trainers Provide the key elements of a procedure or skill being learned. Learners acquire both clinical psychomotor skills and critical thinking skills.	Extensive technical support is usually not necessary if parts maintenance is upkept, and firmware/software updates are made regularly. This includes cleaning equipment after each use.	Little Anne A CPR manikin that measures and improves quality CPR skills training. Use the QCPR app to train one-on-one, monitor up to 6 manikins at a time, or lead the QCPR Race game to make learning stick in a fun and engaging way. Modular Skills Trainer The Modular Skills Trainer allows students build competence in sixteen different clinical skills. Students can practice individually or in groups. Available as a standalone solution or as part of the SimCapture for Skills/Modular Skills Trainer competency building solution.
Hybrid Simulation Two or more simulation modalities are used to enhance the learning experience - typically a skills trainer and standardized patient. Learners work to develop clinical knowledge as well as interpersonal skills.	Extensive technical support is usually not necessary if parts maintenance is upkept, and firmware/software updates are made regularly. This includes cleaning equipment after each use.	MamaNatalie Birthing Simulator MamaNatalie is a birthing simulator that makes it easy to create compelling simulations of complex or normal birthing scenarios. It is worn by a standardized patient, who takes the role of the mother and manually controls the scenario. Bariatric Suit The Bariatric Suit provides realistic simulations of bariatric patients’ appearance and weight. Designed for use with Nursing Anne Simulator or a standardized patient, this suit enhances training in safe patient handling and effective communication.
Low-fidelity Simulator Learners can interact with a full-bodied manikin as their "patient". While a low-fidelity manikin offers limited capabilities and feedback, learners begin to understand what treating a real patient feels like and how to perform specific task.	If educators and facilitators are appropriately trained, low-fidelity simulation modalities are relatively easy to implement and transport. Technical support is required less often but will sometimes be necessary to troubleshoot unexpected issues.	Resusci Anne QCPR Resusci Anne QCPR enables precision training, gamified learning, and objective feedback. It allows professional first responds to build both individual and teamwork skills. Nursing Kid Realistically representing a six-year old child, Nursing Kid is designed for skill and scenario-based training of the care and management of a variety of pediatric patients.
High-fidelity Simulator A full-bodied, computerized simulation mannequin allowing for assessment of vital signs, medication administration, and other interventions. Learners are fully immersed in the patient case and their role as a healthcare provider.	High-fidelity simulators are the most complex simulation modality and, therefore, they require the most extensive technical support. Most organizations require IT support to maintain a strong network connection. It is recommended to have regularly scheduled preventative maintenance checks and an in-house simulationist committed to learning the product well.	Nursing Anne Simulator A highly-realistic, modular simulation platform with anatomical landmarks, realistic articulation, tetherless operation, and a variety of interchangeable parts to create different patient cases and provide unique training opportunities. SimMan^® ALS SimMan ALS provides a mobile, durable solution that supports training from basic assessment to advanced life-support skills. From pre-hospital, on-scene assessment and management to definitive care in a hospital, SimMan ALS can fulfill the unique training requirements of emergency healthcare providers.
Virtual Simulation Online simulation solutions that allow learners to practice clinical scenarios in a virtual environment. Virtual solutions are flexible and accessible, enabling practice anytime and anywhere, and often include feedback and assessment tools.	Basic technical support is sufficient to assist with firmware/software updates, user account setup, software navigation, and troubleshooting common issues like connectivity.	NextGen vSim^® for Nursing vSim for Nursing challenges students to exercise clinical judgment and decision-making through realistic patient encounters and interactive communication. Lippincott Docucare Lippincott DocuCare is an EHR training solution. It integrates over 150 patient scenarios with web-based academic Electronic Health Record (EHR) simulation software, allowing students to learn how to use an EHR in a safe, true-to-life setting, while enabling instructors to measure their progress.

Simulation Modalities

Level of Required Technical Support

Featured Simulation Solution

Standardized Patients

Trained actors play the role of the "patient", giving learners an opportunity to practice their communication, diagnostic, and assessment skills.

Less technical support is required; however, subject matter expertise is critical. Actors need to be informed of the appropriate patient behaviors and responses to maintain a realistic "scene" for learners.

A realistic patient environment and any supplemental medical equipment needed to bring the patient case to life.

Skills Trainers

Provide the key elements of a procedure or skill being learned. Learners acquire both clinical psychomotor skills and critical thinking skills.

Extensive technical support is usually not necessary if parts maintenance is upkept, and firmware/software updates are made regularly. This includes cleaning equipment after each use.

Little Anne
A CPR manikin that measures and improves quality CPR skills training. Use the QCPR app to train one-on-one, monitor up to 6 manikins at a time, or lead the QCPR Race game to make learning stick in a fun and engaging way.

Modular Skills Trainer
The Modular Skills Trainer allows students build competence in sixteen different clinical skills. Students can practice individually or in groups. Available as a standalone solution or as part of the SimCapture for Skills/Modular Skills Trainer competency building solution.

Hybrid Simulation

Two or more simulation modalities are used to enhance the learning experience - typically a skills trainer and standardized patient. Learners work to develop clinical knowledge as well as interpersonal skills.

Extensive technical support is usually not necessary if parts maintenance is upkept, and firmware/software updates are made regularly. This includes cleaning equipment after each use.

MamaNatalie Birthing Simulator
MamaNatalie is a birthing simulator that makes it easy to create compelling simulations of complex or normal birthing scenarios. It is worn by a standardized patient, who takes the role of the mother and manually controls the scenario.

Bariatric Suit
The Bariatric Suit provides realistic simulations of bariatric patients’ appearance and weight. Designed for use with Nursing Anne Simulator or a standardized patient, this suit enhances training in safe patient handling and effective communication.

Low-fidelity Simulator

Learners can interact with a full-bodied manikin as their "patient". While a low-fidelity manikin offers limited capabilities and feedback, learners begin to understand what treating a real patient feels like and how to perform specific task.

If educators and facilitators are appropriately trained, low-fidelity simulation modalities are relatively easy to implement and transport.

Technical support is required less often but will sometimes be necessary to troubleshoot unexpected issues.

Resusci Anne QCPR
Resusci Anne QCPR enables precision training, gamified learning, and objective feedback. It allows professional first responds to build both individual and teamwork skills.

Nursing Kid
Realistically representing a six-year old child, Nursing Kid is designed for skill and scenario-based training of the care and management of a variety of pediatric patients.

High-fidelity Simulator

A full-bodied, computerized simulation mannequin allowing for assessment of vital signs, medication administration, and other interventions. Learners are fully immersed in the patient case and their role as a healthcare provider.

High-fidelity simulators are the most complex simulation modality and, therefore, they require the most extensive technical support.

Most organizations require IT support to maintain a strong network connection. It is recommended to have regularly scheduled preventative maintenance checks and an in-house simulationist committed to learning the product well.

Nursing Anne Simulator
A highly-realistic, modular simulation platform with anatomical landmarks, realistic articulation, tetherless operation, and a variety of interchangeable parts to create different patient cases and provide unique training opportunities.

SimMan^® ALS
SimMan ALS provides a mobile, durable solution that supports training from basic assessment to advanced life-support skills. From pre-hospital, on-scene assessment and management to definitive care in a hospital, SimMan ALS can fulfill the unique training requirements of emergency healthcare providers.

Virtual Simulation

Online simulation solutions that allow learners to practice clinical scenarios in a virtual environment. Virtual solutions are flexible and accessible, enabling practice anytime and anywhere, and often include feedback and assessment tools.

Basic technical support is sufficient to assist with firmware/software updates, user account setup, software navigation, and troubleshooting common issues like connectivity.

NextGen vSim^® for Nursing
vSim for Nursing challenges students to exercise clinical judgment and decision-making through realistic patient encounters and interactive communication.

Lippincott Docucare
Lippincott DocuCare is an EHR training solution. It integrates over 150 patient scenarios with web-based academic Electronic Health Record (EHR) simulation software, allowing students to learn how to use an EHR in a safe, true-to-life setting, while enabling instructors to measure their progress.

The above chart is intended to simplify the decision-making process for your organization. However, we know that there are many factors outside of the ones we’ve listed. If you would like additional insight and guidance, please call your local Laerdal representative or call 1-877-LAERDAL.