Since 2005, STARS and RPAP have been partners in providing emergency skills training for rural Alberta physicians through the GEMS program, and rural medical education experiences for Alberta medical students.
STARS has participated in several RPAP Medical Skills Weekend events, offering medical students an opportunity to test and practice their reactions and skills with the STARS human patient simulator, which replicates complex medical and traumatic problems professionals experience on a regular basis.
“We get a lot of really good feedback from this program because it allows the participants to work within a real working environment, so they have to come in here, take what they learned in a book, and apply that knowledge in real life,” says Dave Allison, mobile simulation lead for STARS.
The General Emergency Medicine Skills (GEMS) enrichment program is an online, multimedia emergency skills training experience with a hands-on simulation component via a STARS Human Patient Simulation session that enables rural physicians to upgrade emergency medical skills at work or at home.
Through maintaining and acquiring emergency management skills physicians achieve better patient and physician outcomes, while maintaining their interest and commitment to rural Alberta.
This program is provided in partnership between RPAP and STARS.