Simulation training - pilot: Psychiatry higher trainees’ mental health tribunal report writing, oral presentation and cross-examination by tribunal panel

Abstract

IntroductionSimulation provides a non-judgemental environment where trainees learn skills without compromising patients’ safety or dignity. It also provides safe environment where anxiety-provoking, real-life clinical situations can be recreated and repeatedly practiced. Mental health review tribunal is an anxiety-provoking experience for higher trainees and use of simulation can alleviate this anxiety.AimsTo develop trainees’ skills in writing of tribunal reports and giving oral evidence using simulation technique (ST).ObjectiveTo facilitate trainees’ familiarisation with the process of Mental Health tribunal and improve their skills in completing report and giving oral evidence using ST.MethodsThere are 2 sessions: one half-day session of interactive teaching providing fundamental details on essential elements of the tribunal process, duties and report. This is followed by 4-weeks gap to allow participants to prepare and submit anonymised patients’ reports to the panel. Finally, a second full day of presentation and cross-examination by (real) tribunal panel with 25-minutes of formative feedback.ResultsSix trainees participated in the pilot: A high percentage of participants strongly agreed or agreed that ST is an effective learning experience for tribunal report writing and cross-examination by the panel. Similar proportion agreed that ST helped to facilitate familiarisation with the tribunal process and that it is a satisfactory teaching method. Finally, all participants agreed that ST helped to achieve personal objectives for attending the seminar.ConclusionsSimulation in psychiatry is becoming an effective learning experience. The outcome of this pilot on report writing and cross-examination by tribunal panels how its increasing effectiveness and relevance in psychiatry.Disclosure of interestThe authors have not supplied their declaration of competing interest.