G116(P) Do medical students benefit from taking part in simulation teaching during their clinical paediatric rotations?

Abstract

Aim To introduce regular simulation teaching for medical students undertaking their Paediatric rotation in a district general hospital For students in each rotation to attend a minimum of 3–4 simulation sessions during their placement to include basic life support training. Method Questionnaires created which included likert scales as well as free text boxes. Students in the first group (February 2017) asked to complete a pre–simulation questionnaire prior to the introduction of simulation teaching as well as a further questionnaire after partaking. Students in the remaining rotations were asked to complete a questionnaire after undertaking simulation teaching. Paediatric simulation scenarios sought from the University paediatric department and online resources. New simulation scenarios designed. Planning meetings with hospital medical education department. Teaching timetable updated with simulation scenarios built in. Results 3 students complete the pre simulation questionnaire 9 students completed the post simulation questionnaire this included 2 graduate entry students. 44% had previous experience of simulation teaching as part of a hospital attachment. The students attended 2 (33%) or 3 sessions (77%) during their rotation. The students found that the simulation scenarios helped them develop interpersonal skills, communication skills particularly through using SBAR and helped them develop specific skills in paediatrics. We obtained lots of positive feedback from the students, one student when asked for an overall assessment of the simulation teaching said: ‘Very good, the best way to learn. I would find it useful to do this more often’ Conclusion Simulation for medical students in paediatrics helps them feel better equipped for future practice, helps them develop team working skills and develop specific paediatric clinical and practical skills. We plan for simulation to form a core component of the paediatric clinical rotation in the future. We will continue to write our own simulation scenarios and we plan to add scenarios to discuss safeguarding. Our future plan also include introducing paediatric simulation into the postgraduate teaching programme to include in situ simulation.