Feasibility of Simulation-Based Medical Education in a Low-Income Country Challenges and Solutions From a 3-year Pilot Program in Uganda
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Date
2019
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Simulation in Healthcare
Abstract
Simulation is relatively new in many low-income countries. We
describe the challenges encountered, solutions deployed, and the costs incurred while establishing
two simulation centers in Uganda. The challenges we experienced included
equipment costs, difficulty in procurement, lack of context-appropriate curricula, unreliable
power, limited local teaching capacity, and lack of coordination among user groups. Solutions
we deployed included improvisation of equipment, customization of low-cost simulation
software, creation of context-specific curricula, local administrative support, and
creation of a simulation fellowship opportunity for local instructors. Total costs for simulation
setups ranged from US $165 to $17,000. For centers in low-income countries trying to
establish simulation programs, our experience suggests that careful selection of context appropriate
equipment and curricula, engagement with local and international collaborators,
and early emphasis to increase local teaching capacity are essential. Further studies
are needed to identify the most cost-effective levels of technological complexity for simulation
in similar resource-constrained settings.
Description
Keywords
Medical simulation, Low-income countries, MakCHS skills and simulation center, BUFHS simulation center, CITA
Citation
Bulamba, Fred, et al. "Feasibility of simulation-based medical education in a low-income country: challenges and solutions from a 3-year pilot program in Uganda." Simulation in Healthcare 14.2 (2019): 113-120. DOI: 10.1097/SIH.0000000000000345