Traditional Poster Round
Poster
Camille Gordon, RN, RM
Clinical Skills Instructor
Geelong Clinical School, Deakin University
Kate McCloskey, MBBS FRACP GDipEd, GCertSim PhD
Medical Director of Simulation, Geelong Clinical School
Deakin University; University Hospital Geelong
Nicholas Simpson, MBBS FACEM CICM
Consultant Intensivist
University Hospital Geelong
Melissa White, MBBS FACEM
Deputy Director of Simulation
Geelong Clinical School, Deakin University; University Hospital Geelong
Context: : Rural and regional paediatricians in Australia need to be competent in neonatal and paediatric resuscitations as they may be required to manage these rare events (1). Novel methods of paediatric resuscitation training may assist achieving and maintain clinical competence. The Deakin University Simulation Centre Geelong facilitated an expert-level Paediatric Simulation program for paediatricians from regional and rural Victoria. Data collected following the original program demonstrated that regional paediatricians feel confident performing a resuscitation on a child, managing bronchiolitis and paediatric seizures. Confidence levels are reduced regarding more specialist skills such as placing an endotracheal tube, managing an asthmatic child requiring ventilation, and inserting central venous access on a child. Paediatricians welcomed the opportunity to practice and maintain skills in a simulated environment. A biannual paediatric consultant simulation program was suggested and has been implemented. University Hospital Geelong is a regional paediatric centre with a special care nursery, paediatric ward and four paediatric ICU beds.
Description: : The novel program being evaluated has been taught in Geelong biannually since 2016. The program includes lectures, case studies and high fidelity simulations based on real clinical events. Throughout the innovative program, simulations become increasingly complex in order to challenge participants and assist with developing methods to deal with the dynamic complexity of multi-faceted clinical situations. Consultant paediatricians and senior nursing staff are invited to participate. In contrast to similar programs, while this is expert level targeted, it is also peer facilitated and consideration will be given to the acceptability of this by participants.
Observation/Evaluation: : Clinicians who take part in the biannual Consultant level Paediatric Simulation program will be invited to complete an anonymous questionnaire which asks standardised questions regarding confidence levels in performing particular high level and resuscitation skills. This will allow for an evaluation of the educational intervention on practitioner confidence. Data will be collected and analysed using Likert scales and qualitative analysis. Ethics approval was obtained for the preliminary research post the original program, and ethics is currently pending for evaluation of the ongoing program.
Discussion: : Simulation teaching has already been shown to be a highly effective tool in increasing confidence in performing high level skills and managing paediatric emergencies amongst regional Paediatric consultants (2). It is anticipated that through more frequent opportunities for performing skills in a novel environment, confidence levels should be maintained and increased.
The results of this evaluation will have implications for paediatric simulation education delivery in regional and rural settings for skills maintenance and training.