Preparing for COVID-19: rapid redeployment workshops for Senior Doctors

Preparing for COVID-19: rapid redeployment workshops for Senior Doctors

Nicholas Wroe, Amy Tulip, Jake Wright, Rebecca Filewood, Emma Jones, Eleanor Owen, Kelly Murphy, Fiona Coia, Terasa Broom, Reshad Khodabocus

BackgroundRestructuring secondary care provision for COVID-19 raised the possibility of redeployment of senior physicians. Increasing specialization meant that redeployment of non-acute or non-medical consultants to support the medical take was a source of anxiety. ObjectiveWe delivered focused refresher training for senior doctors. This study hoped to determine usefulness, feasibility and acceptability of delivering training in this new fashion. MethodsCandidates undertook a half-day course of high-fidelity simulation, resuscitation, recognizing COVID-19, oxygen therapy, basic procedures, IT training, and PPE. The sessions were delivered by clinicians from across the medical and nursing hierarchy, with social distancing maintained throughout. All candidates were given an anonymous post-course evaluation. ResultsWe received 307/360 evaluation forms. 98.7% of candidates agreed (31.1%) or strongly agreed (67.5%) that the course was beneficial. Candidates commented that they felt more confident, and less anxious, about redeployment to manage COVID-19 patients. DiscussionThe employment of Clinical Fellows in Medical Education without ties to service provision allowed them to focus on high volume, high quality training. The resultant redundancy in staffing proved useful in covering faculty sickness but also ensuring smooth running of the course. Freeing up the education team allowed simultaneous planning and adaptation of the sessions upskill 4th and 5th year medical students. Our simple course model with nimble staffing solutions could be reused in any future major incident. ConclusionsOur experience demonstrates clear benefit in a cohort of juniors with educational interest. Lean working provides adaptability and resilience when training must be delivered rapidly.

2020

covid-19, resilience, simulation, postgraduate education, adaptability, Lean working

Epidemiology and Health

Korean Society of Epidemiology

Medicine, Special aspects of education