THE SIMULATED WARD ROUND: HIGHLIGHTING POTENTIAL ERRORS THROUGH PLAYFUL IMMERSIVE EDUCATION

Back to Page Authors: Matthew Young, Angela Lait, Joseph Francis, Sanjeev Sahota, Huw Davies, Laura Tickle

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Keywords: education, simulation, ward round, undergraduate, patient safety, errors

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Abstract: We completed a simulated ward round with 26 Year 5 medical students at the University of Exeter Medical School in Truro. The students have to engage with a senior led ward round process. The ward round features three physical patients and several ‘outlying’ patients on different wards. Several interruptions are present including prescribing tasks for patients not yet reviewed, a distressed relative and a request for a review of a deteriorating patient on an outlying ward. The aims were to: highlight the potential errors that can occur on ward round, how students should manage these and improving confidence in managing ward rounds. A feedback form was given to the students at the end of each session for them to self-assess their improvements. The question used a 5 point scoring system asking about improved confidence with: documentation, task prioritisation, communication and dealing with distractions. The majority of students rated the learning gained from the session with ‘Agree’ or ‘Strongly Agree’ and makes them feel more prepared for ward rounds as a junior doctor. The main points for improvements were wanting to have longer sessions with more patients and a chance for a second run through. We hope to incorporate a multi-disciplinary approach in future sessions with the inclusion of nursing students and tutors. We aim to make the sessions longer to include a second ward round.

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