UT Center for Advanced Medical Simulation

Paul J. Huffstutter, MD

Clinical Assistant Professor

Education

Medical School University of Tennessee Health Sciences Center
Memphis, TN
1973

Rotating Medicine
Baptist Memorial Hospital
Memphis, TN
1974

Residency

General Surgery
University of Tennessee Affiliated Hospitals
Memphis, TN
1979

Certification:

CITI Course for Human Subjects Research

Memberships

American College of Surgeons (Fellow)
Harwell Wilson Surgical Society
Society for Simulation in Healthcare
Association of Surgical Educators
Alpha Omega Alpha Honor Society

Personal Statement

Prior to joining the faculty as Co-Director of the Simulation Lab, my background as a general and vascular surgeon presented a broad experience with the practice of surgery and its associated complications. The variations in the education of technical skills across different specialties, as well as, the failure of medical teams to fully cooperate became increasingly evident over time. The benefits of simulation for teaching psychomotor skills in a precise and orderly manner to resident physicians are well documented. Health care workers train as individuals but we take care of patients as teams. Complications associated with dysfunctional teams are costly. As Co-Director of the Simulation Center, I have been involved in building curricula using current education theories for learner instruction and practice. Team training will be a must for the healthcare of our future and a "life time of learning" will be imperative for its providers. Simulation has become an important method for careful analysis and delivery of what we teach, allowing for supervised practice in a safe environment prior to clinical care. Changing the faculty culture through a standardized program using simulation remains our current goal, thus improving patient safety and cost.