Computer-controlled dummies teach med students

At Bristol University in the United Kingdom, medical students will be using a new Human Patient Simulator to learn about how the healthy and diseased body works. Computer-controlled manikins may be programmed to simulate abnormal body function, disease processes and the effects of drugs.

Dr. Judy Harris, co-director of the Centre for Excellence in Teaching and Learning at Bristol University's School of Medical Sciences points out that, "There is a limit to what students can learn about by running tests on each other. Now the new generation will be able to learn about complex physiological disorders including specific disease states, such as high blood pressure and asthma, hemorrhage and how aging and exercise affect the body." Until now, simulators like these have been used only for teaching in a clinical context.