Brian Lunn, Newcastle University, UK

Workshop description

Most simulated clinical encounters in OSCEs and similar exams are focussed on ‘chronic’, ‘stable’ conditions. Such a focus does little to drive and support the learning needed for students  just about to enter practice. A shift to use of ACS can change this. When acute conditions are simulated high-tech solutions such as SimMan are regularly used but the cost of such equipment mean that large scale deployment is not an option in most circumstances. We have run acute care simulation (ACS) scenarios using a mix of role players and iPads and apps to provide a high-fidelity assessed encounter.

We will present the problems we faced in including ACS in our exams, the solution we developed and data showing how this was received by examiners and students. We will demonstrate the tablet/software we use and give attendees an opportunity to try this out. We will also talk about making a business case to get institutuions to invest in this.

Attendees will be given the opportunity to work through development of ACS stations with a focus on problem identification and solving and discuss further development.

Objectives

  • To introduce the pedagogic case for ACS in assessment
  • To provide data around implementation and acceptability to examiners and candidates of our ACS model
  • To provide a framework that participants can take to use in their own institutions

References

Aggarwal, R. et al., 2010. Training and simulation for patient safety. Quality and Safety in Health Care, 19(Suppl 2), pp.i34–i43.

A., G., A., H. & D., R., 2016. Simulation-based assessments in health professional education: A systematic review. Journal of Multidisciplinary Healthcare, 9, pp.83–95.

Patel, P & Sockalingam, I., 2013. Acute care simulation training for foundation doctors: the perceived impact on practice in the workplace. Acute Medicine, 12(3), pp.151–8.