28 End of life care simulation training: training and retaining volunteers as simulated patients – an authentic and sustainable patient/public partnership initiative in education

<h3>Background</h3> Healthcare professionals (HCPs) must demonstrate competency in end-of-life-care (EOLC) specific communication skills. Simulation-based communication skill acquisition is superior to other teaching approaches¹ allowing more students learning opportunities than bedside teaching methods. Conventionally, Simulated Patients (SPs) are formally trained actors, but this is expensive, can lack the authenticity of relevant lived experiences and does not enable GMC-endorsed patient/public direct input into medical training.² We are unaware of any other centre training VSPs in core EOLC training. <h3>Aim</h3> To train volunteer simulated patients (VSPs) help deliver authentic, sustainable EOLC communication skills training in a secondary care setting. <h3>Methodology</h3> A job description for a VSP advertised via NHSjobs attracted 10 applicants. All were invited to a group interview incorporating a mock EOLC simulation session and debrief, then individual interview. Suitability was based on confidence, communication skills and candidates’ self-awareness about their past healthcare-related life experiences. VSP training – 2x3hour sessions included EOLC communication skills learning objectives, then focusing on how lived experiences can enrich a simulation scenario without overwhelming it or them. <h3>Results</h3> 100% of applicants (age 55–80), all of whom had significant relevant life experiences, completed VSP training. Then in 2023/24 they contributed to 20 half day training sessions (48 Foundation Doctors 10 International Medical Graduates and 42 other clinical staff), with an SP-related cost saving of £8800. Feedback was excellent. FD described the VSPs ‘great’, ‘realistic’ ‘who have had personal experience… so gave unique feedback’. VSPs unanimously rated their training/support excellent, and all agreed to future simulation programmes. <h3>Discussion and Conclusion</h3> VSPs have been a great success. Key to success has been the ongoing supportive environment – involving the VSPs in scenario creation, debriefs, and celebratory events. They are part of the Sim team, enabling Simulation Faculty to fulfill all core ASPiH standards.³ <h3>References</h3> McGaghie WC, Issenberg SB, Cohen ER, Barsuk JH, Wayne DB. Does simulation-based medical education with deliberate practice yield better results than traditional clinical education? A meta-analytic comparative review of the evidence. <i>Acad Med</i> 2011 Jun;<b>86</b>(6):706–11. https://www.gmc-uk.org/-/media/documents/Patient_and_public_involvement_in_undergraduate_medical_education___guidance_0815.pdf_56438926.pdf Diaz-Navarro C, Laws-Chapman C, Moneypenny M, Purva M. The ASPiH Standards - 2023: guiding simulation-based practice in health and care. Available from https://aspih.org.uk