Practicing Through the Patient’s Eyes: Mobile Sim visits Lakeland Community Hospital

What does it actually feel like to be a patient? 

That’s the question UAB Clinical Simulation’s Mobile Simulation team brought to Lakeland Community Hospital in Haleyville, Alabama, on April 7. The answers surprised even seasoned healthcare veterans. 

In an immersive, one-hour simulation, 49 learners stepped out of their clinical roles and into the patient experience. From registration to the exam room, participants navigated the full care journey firsthand, encountering the same physical discomfort, emotional uncertainty and communication gaps that patients face every day. 

The group was as diverse as the care team itself. Registered nurses, student nurses, patient access staff, licensed social workers, a certified nurse assistant, a respiratory therapist, administrative staff and a technician all took part. With every role represented, the simulation created a rare opportunity for cross-disciplinary perspective-taking that’s difficult to replicate in a classroom setting. 

During debriefing, learners reflected on what the experience revealed. They identified strengths worth carrying forward, such as taking the extra step to physically guide a lost patient rather than simply pointing the way, checking in frequently and responding to patient anxiety with genuine empathy. They also recognized opportunities: incorporating purposeful rounding using the 6 Ps to proactively address patient needs, and standardizing communication across team members to reduce confusing or inconsistent messaging. 

Perhaps most telling? Every single participating learner said the experience would improve their performance in the actual clinical setting. 

“This simulation has really brought awareness from both patient and staff perspectives,” clinics manager Sherri Johnston, R.N., said. “Great experience!” 

“Empathy isn’t a soft skill; it’s a clinical one,” said Mercedees Willis, mobile simulation coordinator. “And sometimes the best way to build it is to trade your badge for a wristband.”

UAB Medicine’s Clinical Simulation program offers opportunities for individuals and teams across UAB Medicine and beyond to practice before they deliver care. We encourage all who provide and support patient care to “Sim First.” Together, we can put our patients’ safety first.