The UHL Leads and their committee organized a careers evening for NCHDs entitled “How I became a consultant”. The event was sponsored by RCPI. Obstetric, Paediatric and Neonatal NCHDs were educated on career progression. Various presentations from peers covered how to navigate the various options available to achieve their goals. The event was aimed at both scheme and parallel training NCHDs and was by all accounts a wonderful evening.
The event was organised by Dr Jill Mitchell, Dr Orla Keenan, Dr Sean Kelleher & Muire Graham (RCPI Coordinator ULHG).
Dr Sean Kelleher SpR in Paediatrics and Dr Jill Mitchell SpR in Obs & Gynae
Dr Orla Keenan BST in Obs & Gynae
Dr Naro Imcha Consultant Obstetrician & Gynaecologist UL Hospitals Group
In Situ Simulation Teaching: The Way Forward
A Simulation Teaching Programme was launched at South Tipperary University Hospital in September 2021. Dr. Shiraz Siddiq Ali tells us about his initiative.
After being appointed as the lead NCHD at South Tipperary University Hospital, I started to engage with the NCHDs in the hospital. Both formal and informal engagement showed that there was demand for more training and teaching.
‘You do not rise to the occasion in combat, you sink to the level of your training’ - Lt. Col. Dave Grassman, On Combat
With my experience of an in-situ simulation programme at the Mater University Hospital Emergency Department, I knew that Simulation is an exciting and modern way to train, especially with multidisciplinary engagement. This idea was approved and supported by the consultant body. In collaboration with our hospital resuscitation officer, we successfully launched this programme.
We do a Simulation session once a week. Each medical team e.g., Endocrine, Respiratory, Cardiology etc. participates based on the Simulation rota prepared. All members of the specialty team i.e., SpR, Registrar, SHOs and Interns are relieved of their duties to participate in a one-hour long session. The session comprises of pre-brief, clinical scenario, debrief and reflections. In addition to clinical knowledge, emphasis is on the use of available resuscitation equipment and skills including defibrillation, external pacing etc. These sessions are run by myself and our resuscitation officer.
The response from NCHDs across the hospital has been extremely positive. ‘I would not have been able to manage a difficult cardiac arrest on the ward if I had not done this session last week’ said one of the SpRs. ‘We should have these sessions every day’ was the feedback from one of our senior registrars.
These sessions are helpful in developing not only clinical skills but also leadership and human factors. This is providing a safe environment for the doctors to make mistakes and learn when put in simulated high-pressure situations.
We are now working towards involving surgical specialties, emergency medicine and our nursing colleagues to make it truly multidisciplinary. I hope that with the success of this programme, we will be able to inspire other hospitals nationally to adopt this model and make in-situ simulation teaching an integral part of their teaching programmes.
Dr. Shiraz Siddiq Ali and colleagues in South Tipperary University Hospital, undertaking simulation based training
