Discussion Question #1:

1. In the event of a pandemic or epidemic, how would you ensure that sufficient supplies of
vaccinations and antiviral drugs are produced and distributed to the general public?

Computers generate what-if scenarios or simulations of what would ensure that sufficient
supplies of vaccinations and antiviral drugs are produced and distributed to the general public.
Pandemic/epidemic planning would include protocol development and the stockpiling of
supplies for administering vaccinations and antiviral drugs. Distribution and vaccination
recommendations will then be coordinated through the state and local public health departments.
It is critical that healthcare services coordinate with these agencies in order to obtain and
administer pandemic/epidemic vaccine. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services will
then determine pandemic/epidemic vaccine recommendations and prioritization groups (for
instance, number of doses recommended, indications, contraindications and ranking of various
groups for priority for immunization) (Pandemic Influenza Preparedness, 2007).Computational
models are the programs that generate the simulations. All the what-ifs are plugged into a model.
Models can be built to answer all sorts of different questions about pandemic or epidemic.
Computer simulations or models may assist public health officials prepare for outbreaks in states,
in nations and globally (Burke, 2013, 104).

Burke, L., & Weill, B. (2013). Information technology for the health professions (4th ed.). Upper
Saddle River, NJ: Pearson Education.
Pandemic Influenza Preparedness and Response Guidance for Healthcare Workers and
Healthcare Employers. (2007, September 12). Retrieved September 15, 2016, from
https://www.osha.gov/Publications/3328-05-2007-English.html#PandemicInfluenzaVaccine

Discussion Question #2:

2. The articles provided in this module discuss the uses of medical computer simulation. What
are the benefits and drawbacks of simulations?

One of the many benefits of the use of medical computer simulation is that errors are not
harmful. Many patients are not all yes to allow students to practice on them. By training in a
lab setting first, students hone their skills in a low-pressure environment, which allows them to
build the confidence they will need to perform tasks on real live patients. Another benefit of
medical computer simulations is that the training led to improved clinical skills. The simulators
presented the students with a variety of different clinical scenarios that simulate many types of
patients with different diagnoses and pathology. They learned much more than clinical medical
skills; they learned to apply their skills in a range of realistic clinical situations. I believe the only
drawback from the experience is that real life patient care is irreplaceable. Every patient offers a
new test of our skills. Medical computer simulations do not offer everything a student will need
to become a successful medical professional.