This event, aimed at simulation professionals, brought together a community driven by a common goal: to improve the training of future healthcare professionals through increasingly realistic teaching tools.
Workshops on debriefings and briefings, conferences led by industry experts... everything was in place to foster learning and innovation. But amid all the excitement, Gonzalo's demonstrations caught everyone's attention. He enthusiastically presented the projects carried out at the Institut du Savoir Montfort (ISM):
3D printers as allies: Gonzalo showed how these technologies were used to create repair parts for mannequins, including Laerdal's 3G mannequins. From parts that simulate surgical tracheostomies to repair center parts, participants were fascinated by the precision and creativity of these solutions.
Bringing realism to life with silicone: Gone are the days of using refrigerated pudding to simulate abscesses. Now, a simple mixture of silicone and dyes can produce realistic abscesses in three hours, with no storage constraints. The reactions were immediate: amazement, technical questions, and admiration for the simplicity and effectiveness of the method.
“I was asked very specific questions,” says Gonzalo, “about the materials used, the techniques, and sustainability. I sensed a real interest, as if everyone saw these innovations as concrete solutions to their own challenges.”
Beyond his presentations, Gonzalo particularly remembers the richness of the networking opportunities. Talking with other technicians, sharing successes and difficulties, discovering new ways of approaching simulation... all these opportunities reinforced his conviction that innovation is born out of dialogue.
This experience also allowed him to take a step back:
I realized that ISM is seen as a benchmark in the field of simulation. People admire our approaches and our willingness to push the boundaries. This gives us a great responsibility, but also a great sense of pride.
While SIMposium participants leave with new ideas and a desire to collaborate, Gonzalo brings back a clear message: innovation in simulation is not just a question of technology, it is a human adventure made up of passion, sharing, and creativity.