The Kids Alliance for Better Care (KidsABC) collaborative is launching a pediatric simulation training focused on serious but rare emergencies rural providers may face—such as breathing problems, seizures, cardiac arrest and trauma. The training program is designed for KidsABC emergency departments in rural Georgia, delivering advanced simulation to underserved areas. It aims to expand provider skills and boost confidence by addressing the unique challenges of rural pediatric care and building on existing resources and connections in the state.
Who Training Benefits
- Primary Users: Rural health care providers (family physicians, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, emergency medicine physicians)
- Secondary Users: Pediatric residents, medical students, rural hospital staff
- Beneficiaries: Children and families in rural Georgia communities
What Training Includes
- High-fidelity pediatric simulation training focusing on:
- Common pediatric emergencies (respiratory distress, seizures, trauma)
- Chronic condition management (asthma, diabetes, developmental delays)
- Newborn and infant care scenarios
- Family-centered communication skills
When Training is Offered
- Training Schedule: Quarterly sessions per Cohort (Four simulations per hospital per year—2 in person and 2 virtual)
- Assessment: Bi-annually competency evaluations
- Maintenance: Ongoing curriculum updates based on rural pediatric health trends
Why Training Matters
- Access Gap: Rural Georgia has limited pediatric specialists and training opportunities.
- Quality Improvement: Enhance the confidence and skills of rural providers caring for children.
- Safety Enhancement: Reduce pediatric medical errors through practice in a safe environment.
- Retention: Support rural health care workforce by providing continuing education
How the Program Works
- Delivery Method: Combination of mobile simulation units and virtual reality platforms
- Technology: High-fidelity pediatric mannequins, augmented reality scenarios
- Pedagogy: Experiential learning with structured debriefing sessions
- Support: Integration with existing programs like the Pediatric Alliance Webinar Series (PAWS) for ongoing CME/CNE credits Rural Pediatric Network | Georgia Rural Health Innovation Center
- Evaluation: Pre/post assessments, confidence surveys, patient outcome tracking
The simulation program will fill a significant gap in pediatric emergency preparedness across rural Georgia, where the nearest pediatric specialty care may be hours away. Simulation training increases pediatric care outcomes in rural areas, increases provider confidence in managing pediatric emergencies, enhances interdisciplinary team communication, and reduces the need for pediatric transfers when appropriate care can be provided locally.
Photo: Simulation Clinical Educator Kenya Jones, BS, RRT, center, is joined by Maternal Health Observership Scholars and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta Rural Pediatric Scholars from Mercer University School of Medicine during a demonstration of pediatric intubation techniques.