For years, Transfr has been developing cutting-edge simulations to change the way people discover new careers and train for them. Along the way, we have worked closely with countless Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) as well as credentialing bodies, industry partners, and other organizations to make sure that our content aligns with the real-world needs of these vital sectors.
In the health sciences realm, this meant building a team of in-house experts with decades of experience in healthcare to help make sure our Virtual Healthcare Clinic (VHC) simulations are as effective as possible. As a result, we’ve been able to develop industry-leading healthcare simulations aimed at helping to address the workforce gap that’s facing this crucial sector. Increasing the number of skilled healthcare professionals and empowering instructors to help train this next generation has always been one of our central goals.
“We are dedicated to designing training content that supports the preparation and education of health professionals,” said Hannah Schroeder, MSN-Ed, RN, CNE, CHSE, PCCN, Sr. Manager of Health Sciences Content Strategy & Programs at Transfr. “Our focus on creating active and engaging experiences that incorporate the application and analysis of knowledge, performance-based elements, and integration of feedback opportunities enables us to be part of the efforts to help improve the overall competence of healthcare professionals and their proficiency in the core competencies needed for healthcare professionals as noted by the Institute of Medicine in 2003.”
Our recent endorsement by the National Consortium for Health Sciences Education (NCHSE) shows that we’re on the right path! Endorsements like this from organizations like the NCHSE are independent corroboration that the quality of our virtual health sciences instruction is high and that these simulations can have a positive impact on training programs.
Transfr’s health sciences VR simulations enhance training
The NCHSE’s mission is to “stimulate creative and innovative leadership for ensuring a well-prepared health workforce.” The organization is home to a wealth of experience and expertise regarding what makes for effective healthcare training. While simulation labs have long been a staple of healthcare education and training, many instructors are wary about integrating VR into their programs — the NCHSE’s endorsement may help allay some of their concerns.
“After personally engaging in Transfr’s virtual simulation series, I am excited to celebrate the new dimension this resource brings to today’s CTE classroom, particularly in the health science sphere.” said Cindy LeCoq, NCHSE Certificate Program Manager. “Focusing on the psychomotor domain, the virtual hands-on applications fills a serious void that many teachers face when health science expertise and classroom constraints inhibit student participation in healthcare skills.”
Transfr’s VR health sciences simulations are designed to be used in conjunction with in-person training to give students the ability to safely practice core healthcare skills over and over again without risks to themselves or others, and without using costly consumable materials. Simulations also turn any room into a practice lab, saving schools and other organizations from the costs of outfitting entire single-purpose lab spaces.
Aligning to standards, empowering students and instructors
All Transfr training content is designed to align with industry standards and best practices to make sure that the skills which users develop accurately represent the workplaces they’ll be entering later. The simulation design process for VHC simulations is headed up by Certified Healthcare Simulation Educators who are guided by the Healthcare Simulation Standards of Best Practice™, as recommended by the International Nurses Association for Clinical Learning and Simulation (INACSL) and the Society for Simulation in Healthcare (SSH). VHC simulations also align with the National Health Science Standards requirements established through NCHSE’s efforts.
“The National Consortium for Health Science Education (NCHSE) is proud to partner with Transfr in their efforts to design new and unique resources for health science classrooms,” says Nancy H. Allen, NCHSE Executive Director. “This organization has developed immersive, simulated training modules to help students build healthcare knowledge and skills that will reinforce the National Health Science Standards. Transfr has focused alignment to our NCHSE standards throughout the creation of these modules. NCHSE believes Transfr’s health sciences VR simulations and training will serve to promote students’ interest in health professions, increase their performance on national certifications and provide them with the skills needed to secure a job in the healthcare industry.”
Equipped with these detailed simulations, healthcare instructors of all kinds can empower their students to hone their skills in a supportive VR environment, guided by both simulated coaches and real-world instructors. It’s heartening to see organizations like the NCHSE take the lead in endorsing the industry-transforming potential that VR has to offer.
“Virtual reality is immersive and is available to all,” says Cindy. “Students can review the healthcare skills and with return demonstration achieve competency all completely independent of the health science instructor. This VR demonstration, practice and assessment of skills gives the student the confidence and knowledge to step into most healthcare practicums with ease.”
Want to learn more about the effectiveness of Transfr’s health sciences simulations?
