27 Can one tiny palliative care team upskill all trust foundation doctors in foundation programme compliant end of life care?
Year: 2025
Type: conference-paper
Abstract: Background All Foundation Doctors (FDs) must demonstrate competency in end-of-life-care (EOLC) related Foundation Practice Capabilities (FPCs) of the UK Foundation Programme Curriculum (UKFPC). Simulation-based communication skill acquisition is superior to other approaches1 and can train more students than bedside teaching methods. Our secondary care Trust already delivered half day Simulation Training in Medical Emergencies for all Trust FDs (N=55). In 2022 the Simulation Faculty invited the PCT to create another half day EOLC- related communication skills training session – making this a whole day package. How could a small Palliative Care Team (PCT) rise to this challenge? Aim To create an authentic, sustainable Simulation-based UKFPC-compliant EOLC-related communication skills training programme (EOLC-ST) to all FDs (n=55) in a secondary-care setting without extra resource. Methodology The PCT were enthusiastic but concerned about feasibility to deliver, given existing clinical commitments, without extra resources. This was addressed by Creating one overarching scenario containing six interrelated EOLC-related tasks – constructively aligned to 9/14 FPCs – one for each FD attending the training Embedding a standardised framework = Kolb’s experiential learning theory2 + Alger’s feedback model3 Recruiting and training 10 Volunteers with lived experience as Simulated Patient (VSPs). This overarching scenario (‘story’) meant PCT and VSPs could embed details/nuance more easily, quickly become proficient in their roles. Results 48/55 (87%) FDs trained over 10x3hr training sessions in 5 months 2023/24. FDs’ overall rating for training: 4.8/5. Comments included - ‘great to see the patient/family through a journey rather than isolated scenarios’. SP-related cost saving (volunteers vs paid actors) = £4400. Discussion and Conclusion FD feedback combined with PCT/VSP reflections demonstrated that delivery of training without further resource was feasible, sustainable and successful. We plan to repeat programme next year, to develop the scenario to encompass 14/14 EOLC-related FPCs, and include International Medical Graduate pool (n=10).
Source: Poster presentations
Authors: Jean Potter, Katrine Cauldwell, Catherine Hazelton, Lorraine Barton, Mark Troup, Lynne Marsh
Language: English
Subfield: Physiology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W4408550640