PG24 Evaluation of a co-produced simulation based perinatal mental health (PMH) programme

Abstract

Background Core principles of the NHS England’s Long Term Plan for Mental Health include development of PMH services and co-production with people with lived experience of services. Women suffering with PMH disorders often present first to clinicians who are not specialists. Training the wider workforce in assessment and management of PMH disorders is a priority. A simulation-based training programme was co-produced with service users in all stage, including debriefing. Summary of Work Three Service User Consultants (SUCs) were employed as faculty members for the design of scenarios. The SUCs were also trained to facilitate the debriefing of scenarios, alongside a psychiatrist. Quantitative and qualitative data was collected on the simulation participants’ confidence and knowledge as a result of the training. 12 domains aligned with Health Education England’s (HEE) PMH competency framework were assessed, alongside the value of service user involvement. Data was collected before, immediately after and 2 months after the training. Summary of Results 103 participants completed the training over 10 dates. Comparing confidence before and after the training, scores improved by between 15–28% in all 12 domains. 94% of participants graded the contributions of SUCs as either useful or very useful. These effects were sustained 2 months after the training. These effects were reflected in the qualitative feedback from participants. Qualitative feedback from participants identified an improvement in their knowledge as a result of the training, however it was not possible to demonstrate this statistically. Discussion and Conclusions This co-produced simulation based PMH programme increases confidence, knowledge and understanding amongst non-specialist health professionals from across the PMH care pathway on a number of domains aligned with the HEE perinatal MH competency framework. Participants were overwhelming in support of SUC involvement in the debriefing and noted that scenarios highly resembled real-life clinical encounters as a result. Providing SUCs with robust training, supervision and psychological support throughout the design and debriefing process is essential to the effectiveness and sustainability of the programme.