A Multi-Agent Simulation of Kidney Function for Medical Education
Kin Lik Wang, Nancy E. Reed, Dale S. Vincent · IGI Global eBooks · 2010
This chapter describes a multi-agent system to simulate kidney function for the purpose of teaching renal physiology to healthcare students. Renal function is modeled with agents. Agents represent molecules and fluids and the environment represents the structures, membranes and volumes of the nephrons in the kidneys. The agents move dynamically through their environment, responding appropriately depending on their surroundings. The authors describe how this multi-agent system is used in research and teaching medical students about the renal system. Results of heuristic and usability testing by medical students show improved visualization of the function of the renal system and self-confidence in learning renal physiology.