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What if the most powerful clinical tool isn’t a device or an algorithm, but a moment of genuine connection? We sit down with Jen McCarthy, director of clinical simulation at Seton Hall University and a newly inducted Fellow of SSH, to unpack a humanistic approach to simulation that treats empathy as a vital sign. Drawing on years as a hospital-based paramedic and a leader in health professions education, Jen explains why trust and listening still drive the most accurate data collection, clearer decisions, and safer plans of care.

Together, we map out how to build scenarios that reveal the person behind the diagnosis. You’ll hear how standardized patients and family members are woven into mannequin-based cases to surface caregiver fatigue, access barriers, and real-world constraints. Instead of scripted disclosures, trained actors drop authentic cues that invite learners to ask better questions and co-create plans that work. We also get practical about assessment: a shared SP feedback tool across programs aligns expectations for empathy, clarity, and shared decision making, while structured personal inventories help learners recognize bias, discomfort, and growth edges before they reach clinical rotations.

We also tackle the buzz around AI. Yes, AI can accelerate chart reviews and highlight patterns, but it can’t deliver the 40 seconds of compassion that research links to improved outcomes and clinician resilience. That’s where simulation shines—by providing a safe place to practice tone, language, presence, and mindful listening until they become second nature. If you design sims, teach at the bedside, or support interprofessional teams, this conversation offers a practical blueprint for moving from experiential to transformational learning—where empathy isn’t an afterthought but the engine of clinical excellence.

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