Cocreating Programmable Diagnostic Simulation: Devices to Enhance Reality in Vital Sign Measurement

BACKGROUND Providing authentic educational experiences in clinical teaching laboratories or health care simulation environments is fundamental to producing optimum learning. However, some simulated diagnostic devices are price prohibitive or yet to be developed. This article explores a collaborative effort between health academics and engineering interns to develop cost-effective, authentic devices that overcome limitations of those currently available. METHOD Simulated patient tympanic thermometer and pulse oximetry devices were developed for use in clinical teaching laboratories and health care simulation environments. RESULTS The tympanic thermometers and pulse oximetry probes provide programmable temperature, pulse, and oxygen saturation for use with any commercially available manikins or standardized patients. CONCLUSION Authentic simulated diagnostic devices can enhance reality and foster immersion in clinical simulation scenarios. Sharing cost-effective innovations designed to address the simulation-specific limitations of commercially available diagnostic devices provides health care educators with solutions that can enhance the authenticity of clinical teaching experiences for participants. [J Nurs Educ. 2021;60(4):235-239.].