BJPsych Bulletin (Oct 2023)

Simulated virtual on-call training programme for improving non-specialised junior doctors' confidence in out-of-hours psychiatry: quantitative assessment

  • Helen Blamey,
  • Charlotte H. Harrison,
  • Alistair Roddick,
  • Tina Malhotra,
  • Kate E. A. Saunders

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1192/bjb.2022.40
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 47
pp. 287 – 295

Abstract

Read online

Aims and method To investigate whether a psychiatry-specific virtual on-call training programme improved confidence of junior trainees in key areas of psychiatry practice. The programme comprised one 90 min lecture and a 2 h simulated on-call shift where participants were bleeped to complete a series of common on-call tasks, delivered via Microsoft Teams. Results Thirty-eight trainees attended the lecture, with a significant improvement in confidence in performing seclusion reviews (P = 0.001), prescribing psychiatric medications for acute presentations (P < 0.001), working in section 136 suites (places of safety) (P = 0.001) and feeling prepared for psychiatric on-call shifts (P = 0.002). Respondents reported that a virtual on-call practical session would be useful for their training (median score of 7, interquartile range 5–7.75). Eighteen participants completed the virtual on-call session, with significant improvement in 9 out of the 10 tested domains (P < 0.001). Clinical implications The programme can be conducted virtually, with low resource requirements. We believe it can improve trainee well-being, patient safety, the delivery of training and induction of rotating junior doctors during the COVID-19 pandemic and it supports the development and delivery of practical training in psychiatry.

Keywords