Teaching

Teaching through simulation is a powerful and engaging educational approach that brings clinical scenarios to life. By recreating realistic situations in a safe, supported environment, students can learn, practise, and make mistakes without any risk to patient safety — building confidence as well as competence.

Below is an inviting overview of how we use simulation to support learning:

Undergraduate teaching

The Clinical Skills Centre is at the heart of practical training for our undergraduate MBChB students. Throughout the course, students follow a structured and supportive programme that allows them to gradually build their skills — starting with the basics and progressing to more advanced clinical scenarios.

We use a variety of teaching methods to make learning hands-on, engaging, and meaningful:

Mannequin-based simulations

Our high-fidelity mannequins mimic real human responses, providing an ideal way to practise life-saving interventions such as:

• Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
• Assessing and managing an unwell patient

These realistic simulations offer a safe space to develop technical skills and clinical reasoning.

Standardised patients

Trained actors, known as standardised patients, help students develop essential communication and consultation skills. They allow learners to practise:

• Building rapport
• Gathering information
• Providing explanations and planning treatment

This approach bridges classroom learning with real-world patient interaction.

Task trainers

Task trainers replicate specific body parts or systems, giving students the opportunity to focus on individual procedures such as:

• Intravenous cannulation
• Venepuncture
• Arterial blood gas sampling

These tools help students gain accuracy, confidence, and familiarity before performing procedures in clinical settings.

Virtual reality (VR)

Immersive VR technology transports students into interactive clinical environments, enabling them to practise scenarios in a highly engaging and memorable way.

Low-fidelity simulation

Low-fidelity simulations use simpler tools and scenarios to focus on essential non-technical skills, including:

• Communication
• Teamwork
• Leadership
• Decision-making
• Situational awareness

These sessions strengthen the “human factors” that are crucial for safe and effective clinical practice.

High-Fidelity Immersive Simulation

High-fidelity sessions bring together technical and non-technical skills in dynamic, realistic scenarios. In Year 4, students are introduced to non-technical skills during Inter-professional Education sessions, with Medical and  Nursing students working together. In Years 5 and 6, this foundation is developed further through small-group, in-person teaching.

These sessions provide a safe space to reflect on practice, stretch your abilities, and develop skills such as:

• Complex clinical communication
• Situational awareness
• Decision-making
• Teamwork

All sessions are focused on learning in a supportive, low-pressure environment, with no assessments, allowing students to practise, reflect, and grow with confidence.

From Simulation to Clinical Practice

Simulation is just the beginning. Students are encouraged to transfer their skills to real clinical environments, reinforcing their training and preparing them to provide safe, effective, and compassionate patient care.

By combining these varied approaches, the Clinical Skills Centre ensures students are fully equipped to handle a wide range of clinical scenarios with confidence, competence, and compassion.