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Palliative Medicine SIMulation for Surgical trainees

Background and Objectives

Despite palliative medicine being a key component of the surgical trainees curriculum, there is no formal training package available geared towards surgical patients. Many generic packages are heavily medicine focussed and surgical patients can be a very different cohort when approaching end of life.

The objective of this project was to collect more data on this apparent gap in training and to develop a training program to address this need.

Method

A palliative medical SIMulation package was developed to address the objectives within the surgical curriculum.  The program was ran locally, then regionally,  and feedback was collected. 

A pre-course and post-course questionnaire was use to collect quantitative and qualitative data on confidence levels in managing palliative patients. 

Results

Pre-course and post-course questionnaires were completed by attendees on both occasions.

The feedback showed that 88% of attendees wouldn't be surprised if one of their patients died in the next 12 months. They considered palliative management of patients to be a frequent part of their role. Despite this no trainees had received formal palliative care training since leaving medical school.

Confidence levels improved in all areas following the teaching program and qualitative feedback was positive.

Attendees felt supported by their seniors to attend the teaching session and 86% preferred the program being restricted to surgical trainees only, rather than being mixed with trainees from other specialities.

For a more detailed breakdown of results please contact me on the email shown.

Conclusion

The palliative medicine program for surgical trainees was felt to be relevant and well structured. The data highlighted a gap in training for surgical trainees in this important aspect of their work.

Following this pilot we have set up a 'SIM facilitator' role within the WMCARES group and palliative registrars, to promote sustainability of the teaching. We are hoping to obtain funding to further develop the program and deliver high-fidelity SIM within the SIMward at New Cross Hospital. We have the support of the surgical school to make this a standard training package for surgical trainees in the West Midlands.

Details
  • Organisation: New Cross Hospital, Wolverhampton NHS Trust
  • Project Lead: Dr Dawn Matthews
  • Email address: D.Matthews10@nhs.net
Project Type

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