Firstly, could you briefly describe what clinical simulation is?
Clinical simulation helps educate and train healthcare professionals in a safe and controlled environment to develop clinical skills through simulated experiences and repeated practices without impacting patient safety. Similar to how pilots are trained using flight simulators to respond to any situation, clinical simulation uses technology and various clinical environments to immerse healthcare professionals in common and rare situations they might experience. This helps them develop and improve the cognitive, clinical and behavioural skills needed for better patient outcomes without compromising patient safety.
How does clinical simulation contribute to student success at King’s?
One of the main contributions is the SaIL centre provides our students with a technology-enhanced and safe environment for them to learn, develop and improve upon essential clinical skills expected of them, without the added stress of making mistakes which could lead to harm before they step in an actual hospital. Under the guidance of our expert and trained Faculty, all our students undergo standardised simulated experiences of varying complexity and are taught to reflect upon their performance. This not only builds confidence in their clinical skills but also in their decision-making ability so they develop into better healthcare professionals.
How do you see innovation in clinical simulation changing healthcare education in the future?
Clinical simulation is becoming the standard in quality healthcare education and the recent pandemic has only highlighted its significance in training the future global healthcare workforce. This has triggered a greater push for innovation in the field of clinical simulation with more acceptance of technology such as virtual reality (VR), extended reality (XR) and artificial intelligence (AI). I think having VR and AI in clinical simulation or healthcare education in general, will allow us to use the approaches of gamification to engage with a new generation of learners aspiring to be healthcare professionals without being confined to the physical location of a simulation centre or a classroom.
Briefly, tell us about your background and career up to this point
My first degree is in electronics engineering and I started working in IT for the Aga Khan University & Hospital in Pakistan soon after my graduation. I worked in IT infrastructure for four years, then the university opened a new simulation centre in Karachi, Pakistan. So in 2015, I decided to move from an IT career pathway and embark on a new journey in healthcare simulation. Being a novice in healthcare simulation, I gradually built my expertise in simulation technology, infrastructure, and operations and later completed my master’s in healthcare simulation from the University of Alabama Birmingham (USA). I also helped design three new simulation centres for its campuses in Nairobi (Kenya), Kampala (Uganda) and Dar-e-Salam (Tanzania). Before I left the university to join King’s in early 2023, I had successfully helped oversee the construction and opening of the new simulation centre in Nairobi in 2021.
What is your favourite thing about your job?
There are a lot of things I like and enjoy about my job, but the people I work with are my favourite aspect. From the moment I joined the Faculty, I've felt welcomed and supported by my colleagues. The diverse culture and acceptance at King’s gives me the confidence and motivation to enjoy the other things I like about my job, which is to help contribute to training the future healthcare workforce and indirectly improving patient care.
What advice would you give your 18-year-old self?
I am not sure if my 18-year-old self will listen to advice from an older person! But I would say there is always wisdom in hearing and understanding other’s experiences and having patience, as not everything is going to happen as you imagine. Life will have its own way but eventually, it will benefit you.
What do you do with your time outside of work?
When you have a three-year-old continuously demanding your attention at home I hardly have any time to do anything else, so I enjoy spending my time with family and cooking. On rare occasions, I enjoy watching football with my friends or playing badminton.
Quick-fire...
What’s the first career you dreamed of having as a kid?
Fighter pilot, as a kid I was always fascinated by plane.
Where is your happy place?
Back home in Pakistan with parents and enjoying comfort Pakistani food.
Ideal dinner guest?
Those who can survive and positively critique my cooking and motivate me to improve.