115 On-Call Bleep Simulation for Final-Year Medical Students

Abstract

A common concern amongst final-year medical students is the on-call shifts as a Foundation Year 1 (FY1) doctor. With a large focus on knowledge, clinical and communication skills, and practical procedures, there is little in the medical curriculum to cover the non-technical skills required whilst on-call such as prioritization. A novel teaching programme was devised to help develop students’ confidence and preparedness for these shifts. This The aim of this course was to prepare final-year medical students for their on-call duties as FY1 doctors. This includes developing confidence with the technical aspects of on-calls such as managing the acutely unwell patient, as well as the non-technical skills expected from bleep-related tasks such as responding, prioritization and escalation.A total of five sessions were delivered from September to December 2020 for final-year medical students. Twelve simulated on-call ‘activities’ were designed mirroring real tasks commonly encountered as an FY1 on-call. These activities were spread across the hospital involving the medical wards as part of the A total of 17 students completed the on-call bleep simulation. Only a third of the candidates had used a bleep prior to the session. Pre-course, 66.6% of candidates responded feeling not confident about being on-call as an FY1. Encouragingly, following the simulation, 100% felt more confident about being on-call. During the open feedback sessions, students valued the use of hospital wards, practicing procedures under time pressure, and performing handovers. This on-call bleep simulation was very well received and improved students’ confidence and preparedness for being on-call as an FY1 from August 2021. Students commented on how invaluable this training was. This on-call bleep simulation will continue to be implemented as part of the final-year teaching provided at the trust.