Following a successful pilot session carried out in January 2015, Foundation Doctors within the Trust now receive a full day of simulation training around the management of the deteriorating or acutely unwell patient.

This form of training uses the SimMan 3G manikin with state of the art technology which interacts with the trainees and displays neurological and physiological symptoms, which responds appropriately to treatment, enabling a more realistic learning experience in a safe environment.

The full day now allows a more extensive introduction to the running of the session and a thorough familiarisation of the manikin which has improved the trainees’ experience. It allows the scenarios, 6 in total, to run in real time as much as possible, each followed by an extensive debrief, allowing the trainee a greater opportunity to observe and reflect on their behaviour when immersed in a stressful situation.

However the biggest advantage of a full training day is that we invite registered nurses to attend. This has received a positive reaction from both disciplines, highlighting an understanding of each other’s roles and challenges and assists with breaking down barriers. The fact that it is now an interprofessional training day adds more value and realism to the scenarios, as it takes a collaborative approach to care for a critically ill patient and frequently it is the nurse who is in prime position to notice a deterioration in a patients’ condition and escalate concerns to the medical team. We have also been able to incorporate a session on Human Factors and error avoidance and to discuss in detail the non-technical skills seen throughout the scenarios, such as communication, situational awareness, leadership, delegation and teamwork which are paramount to high quality and safe patient care.

Trainees of both disciplines highlighted that they found this form of training provided an opportunity to practice in a safe environment, with many expressing an increase in confidence when dealing with medical emergencies, largely due to the fact that the simulation sessions enabled a learning experience where mistakes and experience were discussed and analysed in a safe environment. Feedback also suggested that there was an increased understanding of the part human factors play in safe patient care.