Home GrownMoulage Tips

By Alaina Herrington and Julie Poore

Recently, there has been a lot of discussion about the word fidelity and whether we should even use it to describe simulation modalities. To some the word is synonymous with a high level of technology, while others – like us – equate fidelity to the degree with which a simulation mimics reality. For example, if the student’s objective is to complete postmortem care, a low-fidelity simulator with moulage could create a high-fidelity simulation. Setting the stage requires the simulation expert to provide the maximum degree of authenticity, but how can one achieve realism on a low budget?

The HomeGrown Solution website has several inexpensive examples. Following are some of our favorite Homegrown solutions.

1. Morbidly Obese Suit

Because of staff and budgetary limitations, many small simulation labs have difficulty creating realistic obese clients. This idea not only transformed an old manikin, but improved our ability to expose learners to concepts related to obesity in a realistic way, including assessment for peripheral edema in heart failure, ascites in liver failure, and overall care for a morbidly obese client. After transforming this old manikin, and realizing the educational value of having an obese manikin, we decided to maintain the moulage. Minor changes of wigs and the half mask make it easy to create a different client with little work.

2. Leg Wound