Simulator Teaching for A level school students with a career interest in Medicine.

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: This course was first designed by the Simulation centre at the Chelsea & Westminster Hospital in London, which gives the candidates a real insight into what being a doctor is all about. The course incorporates the simulation, resuscitation and clinical skills team as part of the faculty involving the expertise of Consultant Anaesthetists, resuscitation officers, ODP’s and clinical skills nurses. The candidates are A level school students (aged 16 – 18 years old) with an interest in becoming a doctor and this course was designed to not only give them an insight into what medicine is all about but also the opportunity to learn skills which they can take on to their future training in medicine. THE COURSE: 2 day course 1st day – Skills stations which include: BLS, airway, cannulation, drug administration etc. 2nd Day - complete Simulation based training: 6 acute emergency scenarios CONCLUSION: Feedback form the course reveals the students feel that they have been given a real insight into what medicine is about and they feel that the teaching mode of simulation is excellent. The students feel that the course has reinforced their desire to be a doctor. They also feel that it prepared them for the medical school interviews and the skills and knowledge that they have learned will benefit them greatly in their future career. The instructors feel that via the simulator-based learning they were able to compact a large amount of information to novices in a short time frame, while at the same time giving the students a flavour of life as a doctor.