P39 Undergraduate interprofessional in situ simulation

Abstract

Background Simulation training has become widely used in medical training over the years. Simulation training allows healthcare providers to improve non-technical and technical skills in a safe environment. It is often used to provide students and staff with the opportunity to prepare for and reflect on managing acutely unwell patients with life threatening conditions. It is also used to prepare for high pressure situations that occur infrequently but require a high level of skill. Currently undergraduate training for healthcare professionals does not include many opportunities for interprofessional working. In our working lives however, we engage with many different professions on a daily basis and work together as a team. We have devised an in situ pilot simulation programme to focus on interprofessional working between medical and nursing students in the Emergency Department. Summary of education programme In situ interprofessional simulation sessions are run in the Emergency Department Resus following a risk assessment of the department. The session is facilitated by Resus Officers, an ED Consultant and junior medical staff. If possible we will also have a nursing mentor. The students are briefed on the scenario beforehand and learning objectives are set. The students carry out their normal duties and ask for help as they would in a real patient scenario. The session is recorded for the debrief session. Scenarios typically run for around 15 min. The focus of the debrief session is interprofessional working and communication skills but if there are any clinical learning points these are also discussed. Summary of results Two sessions have been run successfully so far. We are in the process of gathering qualitative feedback from the students at the debrief sessions but also from case based reflections that they make throughout their clinical attachment. Discussion/conclusions The importance of these sessions is to encourage team working skills, good communication and interprofessional skills. The focus is on establishing an understanding of the other roles within the team and how to use the skill mix within that team to deliver the best possible patient care. So far we have received a positive response to the first few sessions and we are hoping to continue these sessions at Crosshouse Hospital with a view to delivering sessions across the West of Scotland to all Medical and Nursing students.