Demonstrating the control of ventilation via a ‘simulation‐enhanced’ physiology curriculum for undergraduates

High‐fidelity, manikin‐based simulation can be used to avoid some of the difficulties of using animals and human subjects in practical teaching. Originally designed to simulate diagnosis and treatment of a ‘patient’, simulators are also excellent tools for demonstrating integrated physiology in a healthy ‘subject’. Our biomedical sciences and pre‐clinical dental, medical and veterinary curricula include elements that use a high fidelity simulator (HPS 337, METI) to demonstrate physiological principles that students find difficult or that cannot be illustrated using human subjects. One element illustrates the importance of arterial blood gases in controlling ventilation. Groups of ~ 20 students record real‐time, simulated data (validated against human data whenever possible) and observe physical signs, e.g. the manikin's depth and frequency of breathing and state of consciousness, in response to application of hypoxic, hyperoxic and hypercapnic gas mixtures and to neuromuscular blockade. A problem‐solving format, facilitated by a faculty member, encourages students to identify the composition of each gas mixture by observing the simulated responses, and to predict the outcome of other interventions. The element provides a vivid, memorable illustration of the nature and rapid time course of responses to changes in arterial blood gases, and attracts very favourable student feedback. Funded by HEFCE