International Journal of Healthcare Simulation

Background and aim:

Simulation Based Education (SBE) is well established across healthcare disciplines. However, the benefits can only be obtained in their entirety if simulation is embedded routinely in the healthcare system [1].

Aim: To create and embed SBE sessions targeted at Nursing and Allied Health Profession students within their placement learning.

Activity:

We collaborated with clinicians to create training sessions covering clinical and transferable skills alongside scenarios that are not covered in university teaching. Attendance of the sessions was voluntary, allocating places on a first come, first served basis.

The session format consisted of an initial teaching presentation followed by a simulated scenario, debrief, topic specific activities and a final group discussion.

We collated data from students immediately after the session via anonymous, online feedback forms. We have since sent follow up questionnaires to all students we had contact details for who attended a session in 2022.

Findings:

We created and delivered 18 simulation training sessions covering 13 topics, totalling 70 hours of training delivery. A total of 103 students from 6 professional groups participated. The students were in varying stages of their education, belonging to 8 HEIs. We received 74 responses out of the 103 students.

Our results showed 99% of students felt the training session met their learning needs and 62.7% found the simulation and debrief the most beneficial part. Additionally, 87.5% found it beneficial working alongside other students and 81.3% reported the session allowed them to gain better understanding of differing professional roles.

Students’ confidence levels relating to their ability to manage the clinical scenario significantly increased post simulation with 64.7% rating ‘Somewhat Confident’ and 27.5% rating ‘Extremely Confident’.

We received 26 responses to the follow up questionnaire. In total 94% reported they have since applied the skills they learnt in practice. Furthermore, 42.9% stated their experience in our sessions had been influential in considering applying for posts in Trust.

Conclusion:

Simulation allows NHS students to learn essential clinical skills and collaborative working [2]. Our data proves our sessions are successful in increasing confidence scores, insight into other roles and provided invaluable networking time and peer support.

We have created a catalogue of simulations that are sustainable and can be utilized in future student placements. We can also conclude we are not only developing our student NHS population but directly influencing our future workforce in Somerset.

Ethics statement:

Authors confirm that all relevant ethical standards for research conduct and dissemination have been met. The submitting author confirms that relevant ethical approval was granted, if applicable.