Brilliant move on the part of UK medical training centers to use simulated babies to train nurses and doctors in the care of real patients. So brilliant in fact, I wonder why we haven't thought of making sim products for husbands, wives, nannies, and anyone else given charge of or influence over another human being?
The baby mannequins can be programmed to simulate a range of
medical conditions, many of which require immediate medical attention. The student's performance is then monitored and video-taped for debriefing and feedback. Of course, I imagine part of the trouble with real live babies is they are squirmy and generally harder to hold down than a rigid plastic dolly. Then again, any little bit helps in the training of doctors and nurses who are caring for wee sick babies.
Meanwhile, I'd like to require all those horrid yelling parents who take their young kids shopping at Target late at night after feeding them ding-dongs for dinner to pass a "Love a Sim Baby Without Yelling for a Week" test before they get to raise one of their very own.
