Speech by Dr Amy Khor, Senior Minister of State for Health, at the launch of the Simulation User Network Conference on 20 Aug 2015

Prof Ivy Ng, Group CEO, Singhealth,

Prof Fong Kok Yong, Chairman Medical Board SGH

Associate Prof Fatimah Lateef, Director IMSE, Institute for Medical Simulation and Education,

Associate Prof Agnes Tan, Chairman, Division of Ambulatory & Clinical Support Services, SGH,

Mr Phil White, Asia Pacific Regional Director of Laerdal,

Ms Elaine Yeo, ASEAN Managing Director of Laerdal,

Ladies and gentlemen

A good morning to all.

1.            Thank you for inviting me to the 5^th ASEAN Simulation User Network Conference (SUN).

2.            In healthcare, simulation has been used over the last 20 years in both undergraduate and professional training for doctors, nurses and Allied Health Professionals. Advances in technology have enabled educators to use simulation based teaching even more pervasively and with greater realism.  The simulation of the actual clinical environment allows students, trainees and healthcare professionals to practice under observation with consistently reliable feedback, yet without any danger to patients.  It is also a reliable tool for assessing learners and even for teaching topics such as teamwork and communication. Studies undertaken locally and internationally have demonstrated the effectiveness of using simulation in reducing risks in patients.

3.            I am happy to note that medical education today has successfully incorporated simulation based learning widely. Simulation training is used to teach cardiovascular and respiratory physiology and pharmacology for medical students of the Yong Loo Lin Medical School in NUS.  These sessions bring physiology 'to life' by introducing students to the human body's responses through the simulation machines. High-fidelity simulation mannequins are also currently used in the Critical Care Nursing Simulation Laboratory to provide continuous professional training for nurses in this area of care. Singapore is in fact the first country in Asia to introduce such an advanced simulation facility. For instance, through the simulated ward, staffs are taught skills like basic cardiac life support and cannulation. Skills imparted translate to improved patient safety, through better anticipation of the patients’ conditions and treatment needs.

4.               Institutions such as IMSE have expanded facilities and equipment to incorporate the use of simulation mannequins which offer students hands-on learning experience in simulated medical scenarios. This also allows our medical professionals to practise new technologies and advance procedures on simulators first. In 2012 the Institute successfully extended the In-Situ Simulation Programme by collaborating with radiographers, radiologists as well as nursing staff and anaesthetists from the Operating Theatre. The collaboration with the Alice Lee institute of Advanced Nursing and SGH Division of Surgery has enabled IMSE to set up a Mini Hospital with a simulated ward, operating theatre, intensive care unit and specialist outpatient clinics which allows medical, nursing and allied health staff to train together and practice new technologies and procedures in a safe and realistic setting.

5.            Simulation is going to be the way of life for healthcare professionals moving into the future. It will encompass almost all aspects of training, teaching and life-long learning and continuing education. IMSE’s future plans include developing simulation training in disaster response, using the outdoor environment to make it as realistic as possible and training for humanitarian emergencies and field work. IMSE will continue to strengthen interdisciplinary teams training on a larger scale and involving more specialities.

6.             The SUN conference provides an opportunity to connect with the simulation community and keep abreast of the latest national and international developments. Experts, professionals, novices and trainees engage through presentations, practical workshops, demonstrations and panel discussions.  This is a commendable gathering of people with commitment and passion. I am heartened to see that simulation-based training has played a part in impacting and changing practice and protocols.

7.         It is thus with great pleasure to officially announce the opening of SUN Conference 2015 and I wish all of you a very productive conference over the next two days.

Thank you