Teaching
MHB SkillsLab: International symposium brings contacts and fresh impetus
Neuruppin, 29 April 2025
The Technical University of Munich (TUM) hosted the international SkillsLab symposium iSLS between March 19 and 21. Twelve participants from the SkillsLab team of the Brandenburg Medical School Theodor Fontane (MHB) enjoyed a wide range of activities and program items.
The MHB team was proactively involved. Tutor Michelle headed a workshop on “emotional control in the context of healthcare”, shared her knowhow and gave an overview of a prospective conceptual tutorial at the MHB. Tutor Patrick together with Nora Schiller (in charge of the MHB SkillsLab) presented a user analysis for the SkillsLab and described the relevance of various practical teaching formats as perceived by students in exam preparations. They discussed positive feedback as well as potentials to improve teaching.
Jannis Schwanemann (medical supervisor SkillsLab) presented a poster on the implementation of an innovative format called “emergency day”. Participants gained exciting insights into new teaching approaches and exchanged views with other experts. Apart from their own contributions, MHB members had ample opportunity to attend workshops and specialist lectures and receive valuable stimuli for teaching in practice.
Another highlight was a tour of the TUM SkillsLab. Visitors were introduced to innovative concepts, teaching methods and perspectives to advance their own SkillsLab. Various simulators and models were available for test purposes and illustrated new approaches in practical training.
The symposium also served as an excellent platform for networking, contacts with other SkillsLabs in the German-language area and discussion of potential cooperations, specifically in the fields of simulation training and the training of tutors. The social evening at a local brewery, a welcome addition to the congress agenda, offered further opportunities for exchange.
Summing up her impressions, Nora Schiller said the iSLS 2025 was “an extremely valuable experience for the team. The new insights and suggestions will help to further improve the quality of practical training at the MHB.” Stimuli from the symposium will be integrated into instruction, and collaboration with other SkillsLabs will be extended.