G207(P) Simulation in community paediatrics for 5th year medical students: can it work?. (25th October 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ferin, K; Shein, I; Julies, P
• Is Part Of: Archives of disease in childhood. Volume 105(2020)Supplement 1
• Page Start: A74
• Page End: A74
• Publication Date: 2020-10-25
• Subjects: Children -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Infants -- Diseases -- Periodicals; 618.920005
• DOI: 10.1136/archdischild-2020-rcpch.175
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0003-9888

Abstract

Abstract : Objectives: To assess whether simulation is an effective method for teaching community paediatric topics to 5th year medical students. Background: The community paediatrics programme for 5th year medical students at UCL consists of: The challenges above and changes to the new 2019–2020 MBBS programme, has resulted in significantly less time allocated for formal community paediatric teaching and more frequent sessions expected to be delivered (every 3 weeks, previously every 6 weeks) which requires more teaching staff, with already limited capacity. Methods: We developed a simulation programme consisting of 3 scenarios, covering 6 core curriculum topics using low-fidelity and low cost simulation equipment, aiming to provide : An equitable, standardised and sustainable teaching programme Focused curriculum mapping covering core topics in community paediatrics Prioritising the learners' needs Regular exposure to experiential learning opportunities Assessment: Medical student and teacher feedback was obtained to drive improvements (e.g. pre-reading material and workbook with dedicated time to complete prior to the session) and to describe learner experience. To date, 23 students have participated and feedback has been overwhelmingly positive especially relating to small group facilitation (10/23; 43%), practical (7/23; 30%) and interactive (5/23; 22%) style. Students also benefited from enhancing their generic and transferable skills (e.g. focused history taking, structured general examination, SBAR handover). Conclusion: Simulation can be an effective, equitable and cost-effective way to deliver community paediatric teaching to 5th year medical students. To ensure sustainability, sufficient numbers of facilitators for each session is required.