Real-life problems

Sim Wars competition tests trainees’ skills in handling complex situations

By Jesef Williams

A pregnant woman comes to UF Health Jacksonville, where she undergoes a C-section delivery. The baby is doing well. The same can’t be said about the mother.

Doctors perform an emergency hysterectomy, leaving the first-time mother unable to have any more children. She remains unconscious in the intensive care unit.

The woman’s family is in the waiting area eager to see mother and child. At this point, they’re unaware of the complications. Three doctors prepare to sit down with the family to give them an update. However, the baby’s father is disruptive, rowdy and insensitive toward the mother’s condition. On top of his antics, the woman’s father passes out in the waiting area and needs immediate medical attention.

How should the doctors handle all of this?

These types of unpredictable emergency situations were played out during competitions called Simulation Wars, which were part of Medical Education Week at the UF College of Medicine – Jacksonville.

Several of the college’s medical residents were divided into four teams. During each competition round, they were quickly briefed on a hypothetical medical situation and had to figure out among themselves the best way to proceed.

“The main objective this year was to allow for the formation of teams in nonclinical environments to manage basic, clinical emergencies,” said Lisa Jacobson, M.D., who manages the Center for Simulation Education. “We addressed some of the complexities of the disclosure of bad news as well as the management of difficult patients or difficult patient families. I am pleased with this year’s results. I believe we were successful in achieving our educational goals.”