Using actors to simulate doctors in the continuing professional development of GP trainers and appraisers

Abstract

Simulation has radically changed medical training and is set to continue to do so in the future. The branch of simulation that sees actors playing a role in training and assessment is long-established and well-developed. Typically actors have been used to play the role of patient. This innovation in communication skills teaching sees actors playing doctors (specifically GP trainees or GP appraisees), to enhance the continuing professional development of established GP trainers and appraisers. By using actors, scenarios drawing on typical encounters can be played up or down using techniques which are familiar to hi-fidelity electronic simulation. This flexibility enables the 'challenge' of the encounter to be tailored to the needs of the participants in order to maximise their learning. Feedback from participants at the workshops was positive, noting that the approach is both challenging and revealing of their own practice. More research is needed to develop this approach further and explore it's relevance to other areas of GP training and CPD.

When Old Habits Train a New Generation: Findings From a National Survey of Internal Medicine Program Directors on Procedural Training

“…Also, the prevalence of simulation in procedural training in the present study reflects of a growing body of literature supporting its use. 22,23,36,[38][39][40] Limitations of these findings relate to those associated with surveys, including recall bias, self-reporting, and social desirability bias. Additionally, program directors may have cited higher levels of confidence in their policies by societal and professional pressures to educate competent physicians.…”

A reflection after 24 „training the trainers“ workshops

“…Trainees who are competent in communication with patients, colleagues and personnel usually also learn skills and acquire knowledge without major difficulties (10,13 although not yet implemented, it is our obligation to bring them into practice. Communication skills can be done with actors who act as patients (17). As mentioned above, role playing in our TTT helps recognize problematic behaviour.…”