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Co-Debriefing: Working Together for Improved Simulation Education Outcomes
James Huffman, MD FRCPC
STARS
Kellie Ann Vogelaar, Bachelor of Science in Nursing
STARS Air Rescue
Chad Hegge, ACP
STARS Air Ambulance
In this interactive workshop, participants will explore the concept of co-debriefing in simulation-based medical education. Co-debriefing, where two or more facilitators collaboratively lead a debriefing session, has been shown to enhance learning outcomes by providing diverse perspectives and fostering a richer discussion environment. However, many facilitators find the art of debriefing more challenging when more than one person is involved in the process for a variety of reasons such as differing agendas, disagreements, and one facilitator dominating the conversation.
This 60 minute workshop, based on a peer-reviewed publication, and designed for health care professionals involved in simulation-based medical education, will provide a practical toolbox to provide educators with approaches and strategies to overcome some of the most common challenges of co-debriefing while maximizing its benefits.
A mixture of didactic lecture, interactive discussion, small group work and role-playing exercises will be utilized to ensure the material is easily transferable to the participants' own practice.
High Fidelity Failure: The Cognition of Learning and the Role of Simulation
John vonRosenberg, PhD, FP-C, Sentara Nightingale
The distance between education and performance is bridged by experience, so the question becomes – how can we provide the best experience to others in hopes of promoting high performance? Simulation has become a valuable tool in the world of medical education and we have all had to run the gambit of various well thought out and exciting scenarios. How effective are these simulations in increasing knowledge and improving performance?
This session will not only outline some practical exercises in designing medical simulations, but also how the human brain processes simulations and why creation and execution of an idea are just as important as the equipment that is used.
This session will further emphasize human cognition and learning – how does the brain work, how does the mind perceive new information, how is this information processed and organized, and what can we do to facilitate the application of new knowledge in stressful conditions? Educators must consider a number of variables when designing simulations, including the purpose of the time and the desired outcomes after time is up.
Finally, this session will provide participants with an outline for developing meaningful educational simulations that promote teamwork, cooperative performance, and critical thinking. Practical strategies will be shared regarding the planning stage of simulation, the simulation itself, and the debrief.
Elevate, Educate, Excel: Innovative AI Tools Driving an Education Paradigm Shift in Critical Care Transport
Angela Somerville, MSN, CFRN, FP-C
Global Medical Response
Join Angela, a clinical content development specialist & AI implementation strategist for Global Medical Response, for an engaging 60-minute session designed for critical care transport professionals eager to embrace the future of education through innovative technologies.
In a field where knowledge is critical & the landscape is ever evolving, this session will navigate the future of education by highlighting the latest AI technologies reshaping learning paradigms in critical care. Participants will discover how these smart learning tools can support continuous education, improve team performance, and enhance patient outcomes.
By the end of this session, attendees will have a clear understanding of how to elevate their educational practices using AI technologies. This is an unparalleled opportunity to unlock the potential of AI as a catalyst for change in critical care education.
I Can Only Imagine: Incorporating Mental Imaging Into Training and Education
Julius McAdams, BME, FP-C, CCP-C, NRP
Novant Health AirLink/ VitaLink
Mental imagery is a well-established technique used to enhance performance across a wide range of disciplines, including professional sports, cognitive therapy, and skill acquisition. Its effectiveness stems from the brain’s ability to simulate experiences, influencing both cognitive and physical responses. When applied with intention, mental imagery can help individuals improve their performance, develop muscle memory, and enhance decision-making—without requiring physical resources or high-tech tools.
In the field of emergency medical services (EMS), where quick thinking and procedural accuracy are critical, mental imagery presents a unique, cost-free, and readily accessible tool for training and education. This presentation will explore how EMS educators and practitioners can harness the power of mental imagery to improve skill development, enhance patient visualization, and refine scenario-based decision-making.
Attendees will gain a foundational understanding of mental imagery, including its physiological and psychological mechanisms, and learn how to apply it in EMS training programs. We will discuss specific strategies for incorporating mental imagery into clinical education, from reinforcing airway management techniques to mentally rehearsing high-stakes patient encounters. Practical exercises and case studies will illustrate how mental imagery can complement traditional training methods, ultimately improving both learner retention and patient care outcomes.
Cultivating a Growth Mindset in Air Medical Transport: Personal and Organizational Strategies
James Huffman, MD FRCPC
STARS
In the fast-paced and high-stakes field of air-medical transport, the ability to continuously learn and adapt is crucial for delivering exceptional patient care. This workshop is designed to empower healthcare providers with the tools and strategies needed to cultivate a growth mindset, both personally and within their organizations.
Participants will explore the core principles of a growth mindset and understand its significance in enhancing professional development, team dynamics, and patient outcomes. Through engaging discussions and interactive activities, attendees will learn how to foster a growth mindset within themselves by embracing challenges, seeking continuous learning opportunities, and effectively utilizing feedback.
Additionally, the workshop will delve into organizational strategies for creating a supportive environment that encourages growth and learning. Topics will include leadership practices, mentorship, collaborative learning, and recognition systems that promote a culture of excellence.
By the end of this session, participants will have developed actionable plans to implement growth mindset strategies in their daily practice and organizational settings, ultimately striving for optimal performance in pre-hospital and transport medicine.
Leading Successful Online Courses
Steven Jacobson, MS, MSN, CEN, CFRN, EMT-P
CALSTAR Air Medical Services
The shift to online education has transformed how EMS professionals deliver and engage with training. This course is designed for leaders and learners seeking to excel in online programs, including certification courses, continuing education, clinical updates, team meetings, and even college-level classes.
Participants will receive an introduction to commonly used online platforms, but the focus will be on practical strategies from two experienced clinicians and educators to create engaging and effective virtual learning experiences. Key topics include maintaining student engagement, tips for setting up an optimal workspace, and strategies for designing courses that meet your specific goals and needs. Each of these items are key to ensure that you get what you came for!
Whether you're looking to improve your existing virtual programs or start building them from scratch, this course offers the tools and insights to ensure success. Join us to explore how to deliver impactful and professional online education tailored to the dynamic world of EMS, transport and hospital teams.
Escape the Ordinary: Leveraging Immersive Room Simulations to Transform Prehospital Provider Training
William Belk, M.Sc., FP-C, Ian Jones, BAS, FP-C, Erica Rau, NRP, FP-C, Joshua Burke, NRP, FP-C and Tara Trottier, MSN, RN, CCRN, CFRN
This presentation will synthesize current evidence regarding escape room design, implementation strategies, measured outcomes, and reported challenges across healthcare education settings. Through a comprehensive scoping review of literature from multiple databases findings will be shared on how escape rooms have been utilized in various healthcare disciplines including nursing, medicine, pharmacy, and allied health. Attendees will learn about common design elements such as puzzle integration, scenario development, environmental considerations, and facilitation approaches that have been documented in the literature. The panel will examine what the evidence suggests about implementation strategies, including team size and composition, time constraints, difficulty calibration, debriefing techniques, and integration into broader curricula. Results will include analysis of how escape rooms have been evaluated, what outcomes have been measured, which assessment tools have been employed, and what challenges have been identified by educators implementing this approach.
The presentation will bridge these findings to the prehospital environment by discussing how documented escape room approaches might be adapted for EMS and critical care transport training. This includes considerations for incorporating clinical decision-making, team communication, resource management, and critical thinking skills specific to emergency care into escape room scenarios. Special attention will be given to the potential benefits and limitations of using escape rooms to simulate the unique challenges faced by air medical teams operating in high-stress environments with limited resources.
Attendees will gain insights into the current state of evidence for this innovative simulation modality, including its strengths, limitations, and knowledge gaps that still exist in the literature. The presentation will conclude with practical considerations for educators contemplating the integration of escape rooms within prehospital education programs, including resource requirements, faculty development needs, and evaluation strategies. This session will be valuable for educators, clinical managers, and providers interested in exploring evidence-informed approaches to simulation-based training that go beyond traditional methodologies.