Northern Ontario’s only medical simulation lab trains future health workers

Health Sciences North runs northern Ontario’s only medical simulation lab, training 2,500+ students annually with specialized mannequins, VR and live actors.

For over a decade, Health Sciences North’s Simulation Lab has provided healthcare students with a safe, hands-on training environment – the only facility of its kind in northern Ontario.

A safe space to learn and make mistakes

Originally operating out of the Outpatient Clinic, the lab later moved into the hospital, offering learners a controlled setting to practice before working with real patients.

“It’s very important for learners to be able to practice in a controlled environment outside of direct patient care,” said Alex Wood, the Simulation Lab’s manager. “It allows them to make mistakes, challenge themselves, and try new techniques.”

Madelaine Gagne, a recent registered practical nurse graduate, said the experience was initially intimidating but invaluable.

“You’re walking into the room and not really sure what to expect,” Gagne said. “But it’s great to be able to put all your education into practice on a mannequin before (treating) a person.”

From IVs to complex surgeries: Training for real-world care

The lab allows students to practice IV insertion, CPR, wound care, amputations, and even complex surgeries. Training tools include:

• Standardized patients (real human actors),
• Task trainers (anatomical models like arms or airways) and
• High-fidelity mannequins that mimic real patients, with adjustable physiological responses.

“As learners interact with the mannequins, we can change their properties to enhance engagement and learning,” Wood said.

Structured learning: Practice, observe, debrief

Each session follows a structured approach:

• 15 minutes of hands-on practice (observed by instructors via control room) and
• 45-minute debrief to review mistakes and improvements.

Growing demand: Over 2,500 learners in 2024

Last year, the lab trained more than 2,500 students from Health Sciences North, NOSM University, Laurentian University, and other institutions across 24 disciplines.

Innovation in training: VR and AI on the horizon

The lab is expanding its capabilities, including:

• Six active research projects, such as a thoracotomy task trainer for lung/cardiovascular procedures,
• Virtual Reality (VR) simulations to train remote learners cost-effectively.

“VR allows us to engage more learners in high-fidelity training while keeping costs low,” Wood said. “We’ve already tested remote virtual simulation successfully.”

Looking ahead, Wood said he expects AI integration soon, helping the lab meet the growing complexity of healthcare needs while expanding its regional impact.