Jack Whitehall: Fatherhood with My Father is a Netflix documentary scheduled for release on September 10, 2024. The documentary features British comedian and actor Jack Whitehall as he reconnects with his father, Michael Whitehall, following the pregnancy of his partner, Roxy Horner, and the imminent birth of his child. So, what does this have to do with healthcare simulation? This is where Avkin’s wearable birth simulator, AvBirth makes their big-time debut on NetFlix. This HealthySimulation.com article will explore this Netflix documentary and how healthcare simulation can be used to educate the public.
Episodes of Fatherhood with My Father
Jack Whitehall had a four-season series, Travel with My Father, on Netflix, where he reconnects with his father during some adventurist travels. Jack’s newest Netflix series, Fatherhood with My Father , was released on September 10, 2024. The series will be about Jack’s transition to becoming a father. The series involved simulation and some AI.
Episode 1: With the arrival of his child just weeks away, Jack attends an antenatal class and experiences a simulated birth, reluctantly accompanied by his father. AVBirth makes their debut on Netflix. During an interview, Jack Whitehall is asked about the birth simulator, ‘You throw yourself into proceedings as always, Jack, even experiencing a birth simulator in the first episode.’
Jack replies : “Yes, the birth simulator was really, really strange, and we filmed that a couple of weeks before Roxy (his wife) was due, so it was a very visceral slap in the face about what to expect. Episode one was like an intense antenatal class with Netflix cameras and your dad peering over your shoulder. Michael thought babies were delivered by a stork, so having a front-row seat for all the nitty-gritty was a new experience for him.”
Episode 2: Four weeks into fatherhood, Jack meets a humanoid AI. And steps into the metaverse to find out what tech might look like in his daughter’s future.
Amy Cowperthwait, CEO Avkin, RN, MSN, CNS, CHSE-A: Stated: “As we were starting Avkin I could envision wearable simulators being used broadly across industries. Seeing the Avbirth be used in a simulation on a worldwide stage like this is a dream come true. We are sure this exposure will enhance advocacy and support of high-fidelity simulation using wearable simulators and standardized patients. Avkin, along with our partners like iSimulate and Lifecast have created a new benchmark for realism in healthcare simulation around the world.”
AvBirth is the Birth Simulator
Avkin’s Avbirth has become a maternal-fetal “game-changer.” The technological advancements, wearable design, and pre-programmed simulations set this technology apart as the gold standard for maternal-fetal simulation education. Further, the tetherless wearable birthing simulator has been designed to:
- Authentically simulate all stages of childbirth.
- Closely mimic the physiology of the birthing process.
- Cue the “mother” during contractions via haptic vibrations.
- Replicate obstetrical emergencies commonly encountered in marginalized populations.
Through Bluetooth connection of Avbirth to the Avkin App, the healthcare simulation facilitator can program the release of amniotic fluid and/or blood at any stage of labor. This technology enhances the assessment throughout the birthing process for the learners to practice needed communication skills and make clinical judgments about the health and well-being of both the mother and infant throughout labor and delivery.
In addition to “on the fly” controls of the fluids, rate, strength, and length of contractions, and the baby’s station during the birthing process. Also included with the free download of the Avkin App (IOS or Android) are four (4) pre-programmed simulations, making the Avbirth an easy plug-and-play solution.
Birth is one of the four life events where cultural competence and awareness of social determinants of health really impact the care of the patient and family. Avbirth’s diversity package comes complete with three healthcare simulations that include objectives related to understanding the impact of culture, social determinants of health, and the childbirth experience of marginalized populations.
Avkin’s Advocacy for Educating the Public About Simulation
The opportunity for AvBirth to appear in this Netflix series could impact public awareness about healthcare simulation:
Real-Life Application: AvBirth’s application in a relatable context can demonstrate how healthcare simulations can have practical, everyday applications. This can help demystify the technology and show the relevancy outside of a clinical or educational setting.
Enhanced Understanding: A well-executed portrayal can help the public understand the complexities of childbirth and the challenges involved. Viewing a realistic simulation in action can shed light on the importance of preparedness and training, both for medical professionals and for families.
Increased Empathy: The series can foster greater empathy and appreciation for the role of healthcare professionals and pregnant women. This emotional connection can lead to a deeper understanding of the need for accurate training and simulation.
Education and Engagement: Avkin demonstration in the series can be an educational tool to make complex medical concepts more accessible and engaging. This can spark discussions about the importance of simulation in improving healthcare outcomes, ultimately leading to increased support for such technologies.
Promote Innovation: Highlighting AvBirth in a popular series can draw attention to innovative healthcare technologies to inspire further development and investment in simulation tools through the demonstration of their value to a broader audience.
Encourage Adoption: Through the demonstration of the benefits and effectiveness of simulation, the series can encourage healthcare institutions and educators to adopt similar technologies, thus advancing the field of medical simulation and improving training standards.
View the LEARN CE/CME Platform Webinar Fidelity Matters: Ways to Maximize Learning by Using Wearable Hybrid Simulators to learn more!
More About Avkin
Avkin is a manufacturer of wearable devices for use in healthcare simulations and is a consultant for standardized patient programs. Founded by a nurse educator, Avkin provides a simulation solution that combines the best of high-fidelity mannequins and the realism of standardized patients for the most authentic simulation experience possible. The company believes that the key to success in patient-centered care is practitioner training through realistic healthcare simulations and that human interaction is irreplaceable in clinical education.
Rooted in the Latin words, “Akin” and “Vera,” Avkin is the combination of the two. With Akin meaning ‘of similar character,’ and vera meaning ‘truth,’ our goal has always been to create the best quality products that allow for education to be ‘of similar character’ and ‘true’ to what the learners will experience in real life.
