The Des Moines University Medicine and Health Sciences Human Simulation Lab provides a clinical setting for students to apply their professionalism, communication, interviewing, clinical reasoning, and examination skills without risk to themselves or their patients. Aligned with the university's mission, the purpose of the human simulation lab is to promote the delivery of competent and compassionate health care through educational experiences tailored to meet the needs of diverse learners within a safe, nurturing, and professional learning environment.

The lab fulfills its purpose in several ways because it:

• Models the delivery of health care services within the United States.
• Serves a variety of health care disciplines.
• Benefits students at all skill levels.
• Places emphasis on critical patient safety issues.
• Links instruction and assessment with professional competency attainments.
• Facilitates professional growth in confidence and self-esteem.
• Supports the development of strong foundational skills in patient interviewing.
• Assesses proper physical exam techniques/skill proficiencies.
• Develops and assesses humanistic skills that enhance the patient-centered care philosophies of modern health care, including verbal and nonverbal communication, listening, empathy, and professionalism.

This course addresses the development of the following American Osteopathic Association Core Competencies:

• Osteopathic philosophy, principles, and practice
• Medical knowledge
• Patient care
• Interpersonal and communication skills
• Professionalism
• Practice-based learning and Improvement
• Systems-based practice