The use of distance learning technologies to bring simulation- based critical care training to a remote community in northern Canada Timothy Willett, RCPSC; Susan Brien, RCPSC; Pierre Cardinal, RCPSC & uOttawa; Rick Hodder, uOttawa; John Kim, uOttawa; Dave Neilipovitz, uOttawa; Shahin Shirzad, UBC MedBiq Conference, 11 May 2011
Critical care Patients with an imminently life-threatening condition Time is tissue Community: Critical illness can happen anywhere Community practitioners recognition & early intervention Training: Simulation-based ABCs, crisis resource management 2
3 Vancouver Toronto Montreal Ottawa Iqaluit
Iqaluit (formerly Frobisher Bay) ~3000 km from tertiary care Population 6,200 Only hospital in Nunavut (population 30,000) Nunavut > 2,100,000 sq km 15 th in world! 4
Challenges Health human resources Transport Access to CPD Cost (either way) Goal: Test a distance-learning model of a simulation-based critical care course (ACES) 5
Methods Funding: Health Canada RBC Foundation Royal College 1)Needs assessment Context Priority needs Learners 2)Modify course 6
Methods 3)Delivery Web modules Lectures Case discussions Task training Simulation 4)Evaluation Questionnaires Pre- and post-course quiz Post-course simulation (on-site) Delayed interviews 7 TeleMedicine
SimuCase Virtual Patient 8 Learners Operator Facilitator
Results: Sessions 4 web modules poorly used access issues well-liked TeleMedicine: 8 sessions 4 hrs lecture & cases 3.5 hrs task training 4 hrs SimuCase VP 9 “In terms of the [TeleMedicine], the mannequins, that kind of thing and doing this all kind of on a long distance basis, I think it was effective.”
Results: Questionnaire 10 Relevant Videoconference effective Technical skills improved Confidence increased Will not change practice SimuCase allowed practice SimuCase feedback useful
Results: Quiz 28% improvement Paired t-test (n=10): p=.016 Cronbach’s alpha: GroupnMean score (/20) Iqaluit (pre)159.5 Iqaluit (post) Junior ICU residents57.7 Senior ICU residents613.6
Results: High-fidelity simulations 2 cases 10 physician candidates: 1 leader, 1 assistant RN actor 2 facilitators from Ottawa Videotaped Checklist: Custom, Delphi process GRS: “Ottawa GRS” Standard: Modified Angoff 12
Results: High-fidelity simulations 13 MeasureCase 1 (GI bleed)Case 2 (Sepsis) Expected score Mean candidate score % met or exceeded expected Expected score Mean candidate score % met or exceeded expected Checklist score Ottawa GRS: Overall performance score Leadership skills Problem-solving skills Situational awareness skills Resource utilization skills Communication skills
Results: Delayed interview (prevalent themes) Positive experience, appreciative Well qualified instructors Technical problems not significant Changes in: Approach to critically ill patient / priorities Vasoactive medications Assessment / monitoring Confidence Communication Delivery strategy was effective; liked the on-site simulations SimuCase was effective; enhanced skills applicable to high-fidelity simulation 14
Lessons learned Support from decision-makers Community-based coordinator TeleMedicine tech support Web modules: disc backups Virtual patient works Outcomes positive Limitations: Pilot study, small n, limited rigour 15
Thank you Questions? 16