Simulation

Being in a Specialty Post: Simulation

It is the KSS Deanery’s policy to ensure that simulation is an integral part of the local curriculum. Thus, it is essential that LFGs contribute to the ongoing development of this provision. In order to achieve this objective, KSS Deanery has adopted a ‘mixed economy’ of simulation provision, including the development of local and lower-tech simulation by NHS Trusts: this focuses on using the equipment that is already held in medical education centres and integrating it into the curriculum. In addition KSS Deanery supports simulation leads in specialties and the development of distributed simulation, using specialists, to travel round and work with centres which cannot develop their own provision or where it is more cost-effective to develop a central facility in this way. The principles which KSS Deanery espouses are that simulation should be:

Clinically appropriate (reflecting real life; reflecting patients’ needs; meeting the needs of particular doctors; reflecting the needs of teams; consolidating and extending real life experience), demonstrated by:

presenting realistic scenarios maintaining a clear focus on recognising and managing the very sick patient;

drawing upon the skills of a realistic team (a helpful nurse, etc.).

Financially efficient (simulation has to be affordable; funding will normally be short-term, for ‘pump-priming’; capital equipment will rarely be funded; cheap, quick ways of providing simulation need to be sought) demonstrated by monitoring provision at high-tech and regional centres through the completion of evaluations by participants

KSS Education Department convenes a KSS Simulation Working Party. These meetings are attended by colleagues involved in simulation from across the region from a variety of perspectives: consultants, LEP simulation leads, medical education managers, resuscitation officers, audio-visual specialists and educationalists. The working party places a high value on participation and the sharing of effective practice across the region. The stated aims for the working party are to share good practice in simulation across KSS, to further develop KSS simulation strategy and to further develop KSS simulation curriculum.  

Up to date information on simulation at KSS Deanery can be found here.