Simulation in healthcare: Rodrigo Rubio & Carlos Vidal. Magic, Aviation and the future of simulation in healthcare

This week, I’m talking about simulation in healthcare and medical education. Whether in surgery, anesthesiology, or even hip dysplasia screening, simulation allows for repeated practice, error correction, and improved confidence—all without putting patients at risk.To explore this, I’m joined by Rodrigo Rubio, professor of anesthesiology and director of the Center for Simulation at the American British Cowdray Hospital in Mexico City, and Carlos Vidal, an orthopedic surgeon leading an initiative to teach physicians how to perform ultrasound screening for hip dysplasia using a simulation model.We begin with a unique perspective—how the principles of stage magic can enhance healthcare simulation. Just like a magician creates an illusion that captivates an audience, a well-designed simulation must immerse the learner in an experience that feels real. We discuss the principles that make this possible, from shaping perception and managing attention to leveraging cognitive biases to reinforce learning.From there, we shift to the practical side of simulation in orthopedic education. Ultrasound screening for hip dysplasia is a critical skill, but traditionally, it has been challenging to teach due to limited patient exposure. Simulation provides a way to overcome this, allowing physicians to practice on phantom models before transitioning to real infants. We discuss how this method builds technical proficiency and removes the anxiety of making a mistake on a real patient.Beyond ultrasound, we explore different types of simulation models, how they fit into medical training, and how we can apply concepts from aviation safety—like checklists, crisis management, and high-fidelity simulations—to improve surgical training. We also touch on the future of medical education, including virtual reality and augmented reality.