RT Journal Article
SR Electronic
T1 A multidisciplinary simulation programme to improve advance care planning skills and engagement across primary and secondary care
JF Clinical Medicine
JO Clin Med
FD Royal College of Physicians
SP 51
OP 57
DO 10.7861/clinmed.2021-0240
VO 22
IS 1
A1 Lucy Owen
A1 Anna Steel
A1 Kristin Goffe
A1 Joanna Pleming
A1 Elizabeth L Sampson
YR 2022
UL http://www.rcpjournals.org/content/22/1/51.abstract
AB Background In the context of an ageing population, many healthcare professionals have limited experience and confidence in having necessary advance care planning (ACP) conversations.Methods We conducted nine half-day simulation sessions, using professional actors. One-hundred and thirty-two participants attended from multidisciplinary backgrounds across primary and secondary care.Results Following the course, 90.2% felt confident or very confident initiating conversations, compared with 14.4% beforehand. Understanding of when ACP is appropriate also increased from 70% to 100%. Post-course, 98% of participants stated that they would be more likely to initiate an ACP. Three months later, 86% had a sustained change in practice. All participants said they would recommend this simulation course and multidisciplinary approach.Conclusion Multidisciplinary simulation training is an effective way to teach ACP to doctors, nurses and allied healthcare professionals. The simulation was shown to improve participant understanding, confidence and reduce barriers to discussions, both immediately and 3 months later.