The World’s Okayest Medic Podcast Paul Sheats: Education, Effective Sim
Oct 21, 2025
Paul Sheats, an experienced flight paramedic and adjunct paramedic instructor, shares why realistic simulation and clinically active instructors matter. He discusses vetting and mentoring new instructors, creating high-fidelity but practical sims, eliciting stress to teach perspective, and debriefing techniques that push learners to reflect and make decisive mistakes.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Define Objectives And Avoid Lab Magic
- Always write clear objectives for each scenario so you can judge completion and adjust length.
- Paul also warns against 'lab magic' and urges having students perform real IVs, med draws, and syringe choices when possible.
Make Students Do The Hands On Work
- Minimize lab magic: force students to set up gear, draw meds, and start IVs so they learn timing, equipment selection, and concentration math.
- Paul notes this prevents false instant-gratification expectations in the field.
Include Failed Outcomes In Sims
- Sims should sometimes show interventions failing so learners learn that correct care can still have poor outcomes.
- Mike recounts his crike simulation where the patient worsened despite correct technique, highlighting acceptability of failure in training.