Immersive Simulator Launches for Healthcare Students

Western Sydney University has launched the Blended Learning Interactive Simulation (BLIS) Suite, Australia’s first healthcare education simulator. Located at the University’s Campbelltown campus, the immersive system places students in a simulated emergency department, enabling them to interact with patients and make real-time clinical decisions through a touchscreen interface.

The BLIS Suite supports nursing, midwifery, paramedicine, physiotherapy, speech therapy, occupational therapy, and traditional Chinese medicine programs. It provides virtual access to varied healthcare settings, including aged care, road accidents, and scenarios involving gender-based violence.

A University spokesperson said BLIS supports safe pharmaceutical practices across disciplines, including responsible prescribing, pain management, and compliance monitoring.

Dr Navin Naidoo of the School of Health Sciences noted that the virtual classroom enhances experiential learning and prepares students to address the needs of diverse communities. Developed by a multidisciplinary team, the facility expands research and teaching capabilities by replicating real-world environments in a controlled, educational setting.