Theme
Simulators and Simulation
Category
Simulation
INSTITUTION
School of Medicine, University of St Andrews
Ward simulations are becoming an increasingly common feature of undergraduate medical education. Several key benefits of ward simulation have been identified including the development of competence and confidence, an early opportunity to identify professional boundaries and to undertake interprofessional learning as well as identify gaps in knowledge.1
The timing of these experiences is widely debated. Some arguing early exposure is best thereby facilitating the development of professional identity, others however recommend the experience later in the curriculum when the student has a greater understanding of their role.1
Third year students during their final semester undertake a 15 minute ward simulation exercise. The students are exposed to a simulated ward environment and are given tasks to perform as the Foundation Doctors on the ward. Simulated patients and staff are used to make the experience as realistic as possible.
Using a Likert –style questionnaire the students were asked to comment retrospectively upon their experience and whether or not they felt that it occurred at an appropriate stage in their training.
Our study shows that whilst students find the experience useful and fun, they feel generally unprepared to take part. Most students agree that it is a valuable exercise in teamwork, and this would appear to support the evidence that ward simulations support interprofessional learning.2
Students would appear to recognise the benefits of such experiences and would like to partake in further ward simulations. From the data collected, students feel they have enough knowledge, even at this early stage in their medical training, and do not feel that it is too much too soon.
- Ward simulations are an important part of medical undergraduate education
- Pre-clinical students find the experience beneficial
- The timing of these experiences is key in order to maximise the benefits
Miss Veronica O'Carroll, Nurse Lecturer (Interprofessional Clinical Skills Education), School of Medicine, University of St Andrews
1 Ker, J. Mole, L. Bradley, P. Early introduction to interprofessional learning: a simulated ward environment. Medical education 2003;37:248–255
2 Freeth, D. Reeves, S. Goreham, C. Parker, P. Haynes, S. Pearson, S. “Real life” clinical learning on an interprofessional training ward Nurse Education Today 2001;21:366-372