Simulations for Improving Medical Training for Cold Weather Injuries

ArchieMD's proposed simulations for cold weather injury assessment, management, and treatment combine the most important aspects of various skills training pedagogies into a single immersive training system. This system will incorporate and overlay theoretical knowledge in a practical context to supplement traditional educational models. In cold environments, military members face not only service-related injuries, but also cold weather injuries like frostbite, hypothermia, chilblain, and immersion foot. Cold weather injuries can be avoided by wearing the appropriate gear and limiting exposure to the elements; however, these steps are not always feasible for military service members given the nature of their occupations. As such, it is critical that military medics can identify and properly care for service members who have a cold weather injury. ArchieMDÆs technology will help military medics identify and care for cold weather injuries. In this Phase II application, ArchieMD proposes to 1) Expand upon the cold weather injury interactive education modules developed in Phase I based on the skill level of the healthcare provider; 2) Develop a virtual patient simulator tailored to provider skill level that allows users to practice caring for patients with cold weather injuries; and 3) Demonstrate improved ability to treat cold weather injuries after education and practice with ArchieMDÆs products. Medical personnel must be able to distinguish cold weather injuries from each other to perform the correct treatment. ArchieMD will develop mobile applications that teach medical personnel how to identify and care for patients with cold weather injuries. To demonstrate long-term retention, it is not enough to provide information to the patient; it is essential that the patient have rehearsal opportunities to build understanding and a more positive attitude. Successful completion of these aims will support immersive simulation training, allowing military medic education programs to supplement lecture- or observation-based training or replace current task trainer manikins. These easily accessed training simulations will result in improved clinical skills and, ultimately, better patient care. Ā