eposter: Synergy between simulation and Innovation

Synergy between Simulation and Innovation Introduction & Aims The newly established House of Practice and Innovation at UCC is a learning environment for students from a range of Bachelor´s Degree programmes and at the same time an innovative development and testing environment for private companies. The facilities offer the possibility of cross-sectoral scenarios in simulated hospital rooms, physical training and test labs, an authentic apartment and virtual environments. Classic simulation methods and structure are used in new contexts and in new surroundings creating a unique synergy between simulation and innovation. This synergy further comprises a fusion between interdisciplinary research and teaching environments’ at MCC. Description Private companies can develop and test new innovative welfare and health care products and solutions in close collaboration with innovation consultants, researchers, lecturers and students, as well as personnel from hospitals and municipalities. Simulation scenarios are designed to match the test of a prototype with emphasis on fidelity. As in the educational context we design the scenarios according to Dieckmann´s model (2009) consisting of a pre-briefing, where the company can introduce their prototype or finished product, followed by a briefing to the actual scenario and completion of the scenario involving simulated patients and relevant modalities. The structured debriefing is followed by a final discussion where the company can ask clarifying questions and make decisions about further development and tests in collaboration with the participants. The scenarios and debriefings are video recorded with the participants’ permission in order to support the debriefing and for the company to take home for further reflection. The set up using simulation-based scenarios enables the possibility of iterations in a safe and controlled environment. Discussion During 2017, fifteen business partnerships with various Danish companies have been completed and are currently being evaluated. Preliminary feedback from the companies indicates that the testing through simulation enables realistic and valuable insight in user scenarios and usability. Furthermore, companies value the possibility of testing their product ideas at a much earlier time than a test at a hospital or in a municipality would enable. Feedback from students indicates that participation in the business cooperation with the use of simulation based workshops results in hands-on experience in product development and innovation as well as interdisciplinary competences. Students highlight the opportunity of being co-developers of future technologies and ensuring that future products put the patient / citizens' needs into focus. The discovery of new job opportunities is mentioned as an additional gain.