The brainstorming for how to deal with the impending physician shortage is happening on many different fronts. Some think cutting the length of medical school from four to three years would help. Federal legislation aimed at creating more government-backed training spots at teaching hospitals is under review. Others think more nurse practitioners will help. California is reviewing legislation to delegate more duties to nurse practitioners and pharmacists.

Source: MedCity News

Chronic Disease Management Cited as Key Market for VitalSims:  Part two of this interview delves into some of the issues currently facing the medical field, and how VitalSims plans to address these needs.  (Part 2 of 2)

Source: Medical Device Daily

Serious Gaming Seen as a Key in Training Healthcare Professionals:  Part one of this interview in Medical Device Daily discusses the new role that serious gaming is playing in the training and professional development of today’s healthcare workers.  It also offers an overview of the history of VitalSims itself.  (Part 1 of 2)

Source: Medical Device Daily

Innovation without recognition is an opportunity missed. The LifeScience Alley New Technology Showcase provides valuable exposure for established and emerging organizations with novel life science technologies representing improved patient care and significant market impact.

Source: LifeScience Alley

 HealthPartners and VitalSims are partnering to improve care for patients with chronic diseases through a joint venture, SiMCare Health. The first SiMCare program – SiMCare Diabetes – will help providers ensure that patients get the best possible care while also reducing overall medical costs.

Source: Business Wire

 In the world of medical education, there’s a time and place for rigorous and serious classroom education. Looking ahead, there will increasingly be a time for games … games that will also be serious.

The University’s School of Nursing, in collaboration with a medical technology company and the Minnesota Hospital Association, is developing and enhancing a suite of “serious games”—interactive, web-based games that will accelerate learning in real-life scenarios.

Source: University of Minnesota

 Whether you’re an Xbox, PlayStation or Nintendo Wii enthusiast or just like to play Angry Birds on your phone between classes, chances are every student has played the role of “gamer” at one time or another.

But, what if you went to class and your instructor gave you the opportunity to do more than just rack up points? What if educational gaming was literally your homework?

As it turns out, interactive and educational video games that simulate health care scenarios may soon be more commonplace.

Source: University of Minnesota

 After years of brutalizing virtual monsters, soldiers and zombies, gamers can finally begin to make amends — at least the nurses.

The University of Minnesota School of Nursing is helping to develop several simulation games in which future health care providers will apply detailed knowledge of medical procedures to care for virtual patients.

Source: MN Daily

 The University of Minnesota School of Nursing is using video gaming to simulate health care situations and speed up training for health professionals.

Tom Clancy, clinical professor and assistant dean for faculty practice, tells 5 EYEWITNESS News what it’s all about.

Source: KSTP

As Thomas Clancy points out, there’s nothing fun about sitting through a PowerPoint presentation on bedsores.

But he thinks they’re a perfect topic for a video game.

Clancy, an assistant dean of nursing at the University of Minnesota, is working on just such a game as part of an unusual effort to improve patient safety at Minnesota hospitals.

Source:  Star Tribune