Simulation

The RCPCH is to develop a national strategy on simulation and Technology Enhanced Learning (TEL) as it has an important role to play in the future delivery and assessment of the national paediatric training curriculum, both at core and specialty levels. This follows the Department of Health publication ‘A Framework for Technology Enhanced Learning’.

Dr David Grant, Consultant in Paediatric Intensive Care and Associate Dean for Simulation at Severn Deanery, has been appointed as the RCPCH lead to develop the College strategy.

Delivery

The RCPCH advocates the delivery of simulation and TEL in all schools of paediatrics. This method of delivery will:

• ensure equity of access to resources for all trainees;
• promote multi-disciplinary simulation-based education;
• promote training and educational research among all paediatric subspecialties that focus on caring for patients and their families.

Objective

Our objective is to ensure improved patient and family experience, safety and outcome. This will be achieved by the delivery of an educationally coherent strategy, based on an innovative and evidence-based simulation and TEL enrichment of the RCPCH curriculum.

Strategy

We are establishing a national strategy to facilitate resource development and to empower local technology-enhanced education plans. The strategy will focus on elements delivered in simulation centres, as well as point-of-care settings, for acute and community-based delivery of paediatric and perinatal care.

The RCPCH’s strategy aims to:

• foster innovation in technology enhanced education aimed at promoting universal excellence in paediatric and perinatal care;
• achieve high quality educational outcomes whilst ensuring equity of access and quality for all paediatric practitioners in the UK;
• facilitate the processes of continuing professional development, whilst remaining patient and family centered;
• accommodate service delivery to ensure system improvement elements are addressed in each centre providing paediatric and perinatal care;
• collaborate with established national and international, professional and simulation societies that have common goals for the benefit of improved patient care and safety;
• nationally promote paediatric and perinatal technology enhanced education (eg technology, funding and legislation, public policy);
• advocate the continued development of simulation practitioners to ensure high standards;
• investigate the potential integration of simulation into assessment methods to revaluate elements that are currently deemed inadequate;
• advocate national high quality educational research to strategically asses the efficacy of educational interventions.

It is proposed that Leads for TEL will be established in each paediatric school nationally. Heads of school should establish the role in such a way that will suit the specific needs of their region. Those with an interest in TEL for paediatrics are encouraged to make contact with their head of school in the first instance.   

College Executive Group

A College Executive Group on Simulation is being established to be chaired by David Grant. Nominations will be sought from paediatric and multi-professional representatives and a parent/carer representative. A wider consultation group of interested and expert stakeholders will feed into the executive group to inform the development of the strategy and a framework for simulation. 

 For further information contact Graeme Muir.