HUMAn, a Real-Time Evolutive Patient Model for Major Incident Simulation: Development and Validation Study

Area of Science:

• Medical Simulation
• Physiological Modeling
• Emergency Medicine Training

Background:

• Major incidents require efficient management and specialized resources.
• Current major incident simulations lack dynamic patient evolution, hindering critical decision-making practice.
• Paramedic and EMT training necessitates realistic simulation scenarios.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop and validate a simplified physiological model for simulating real-time injury evolution.
• To create a model capable of dynamic patient simulation for enhanced emergency response training.

Main Methods:

• A user-centered design framework guided model development.
• A multidisciplinary team (physicians, paramedics, computer scientists) developed the HUMAn model.
• Clinical realism was validated by 15 prehospital professionals using a 5-point Likert scale.

Main Results:

• The HUMAn model realistically simulates physiological changes and patient evolution.
• Clinical parameters received a median rating of 5 (absolutely realistic), with 96% rated 4 or 5.
• Physiological parameters achieved a median rating of 5, with 79% rated 5 and 17% rated 4.

Conclusions:

• A simplified, clinically realistic physiological model for trauma patient evolution was successfully developed.
• The HUMAn model is suitable for integration into computer-based simulations for major incident management training.
• Further randomized trials are recommended to assess the model's impact on teaching major incident management.