General Paper Abstract
2014 GPET Convention: ‘Inspiring Partnerships’
Paper title:
Simulation education in the General Practice setting: Practicing with the practice team
Background:
Criterion 1.3.2.1 of the RACGP Vocational Training Standards refers to the competency of the
registrar in recognising and managing acute and life threatening emergencies. Simulation
education is increasingly being used as an adjunct to achieving competency within the clinical
environment, but typically, this is in simulation centres rather than the actual clinical environment of
a General Practice. In GP training, simulating a medical emergency in the practice has the
potential to create key learning opportunities for the registrar as well as the entire practice team.
Objective:
To deliver simulation education to Registrars to:

Contextualise classroom education within the clinical setting;

Encourage a whole-of-team approach to managing medical emergencies in the practice;
and

Promote continuous quality improvement within the practice.
Approach:
This pilot project identified select practices to deliver the simulation education. A standardised
scenario was modified with the supervisor to adapt it to the specific needs of the practice.
Simulation equipment is transported from the QRME Sim Centre in Toowoomba. The practice
team was familiarised with the simulation equipment but expected to use their own existing
equipment for the scenario. Post-scenario debriefing is utilised to identify and address registrar
competency concerns, risks to effective teamwork, and opportunities for improving the practice’s
preparedness for managing emergences.
Findings:
Evaluation of these activities was highly regarded by registrars, supervisors, practice managers,
practice nurses and other practice staff. One practice identified the need to procure key clinical
equipment. Another practice has used the exercise as a means of developing their own scenarios
General Practice Education and Training Limited
ABN: 95 095 433 140
to continue to demonstrate their preparedness. Practices have amended their policies and
procedures to reflect some of their learnings.
Discussion:
Simulation is an innovative approach to teaching that has obvious implications for patient safety.
We hope to extend this model to all of our practices and support them in using simulation as part of
their teaching.
Page 2