Mater Education Simulation Symposium showcases Fellowship success

Mater Education recently ran its first Simulation Symposium to showcase the world-class simulation expertise and facilities available at Mater. Bringing together clinicians and Mater Education simulation specialists, the symposium offered an opportunity for Mater’s two inaugural Simulation Fellows to share their experience completing the Simulation Fellowship Program.

Since they were welcomed onto the course in February 2016, Dr Richard Mausling and Dr Dominic Ormston have spent the past 10 months completing the graduate certificate in education specialising in simulation through the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) Institute of Health Professions.

The world-class post-graduate certification, available through Mater Education’s exclusive partnerships with two leading Boston institutions, Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) Institute of Health Professions and the Center for Medical Simulation (CMS),  is a simulation-based education awarded by MGH Institute, the graduate school founded by Boston’s renowned Massachusetts General Hospital in 1977.

The Simulation Fellowship Program has been designed to strengthen the use of innovative simulation training at Mater, and is supported by Mater Foundation.

During his Fellowship, Dr Ormston has focused on developing simulation-based emergency response courses for Mater Health’s Department of Anaesthetics.

“There are generic courses available in Advanced Life Support (ALS) both at Mater and externally, but there was nothing previously available that reflected the working environment specific to anaesthetics.  This Fellowship has enabled me to develop tailored training for anaesthetists and anaesthetic assistants so that we can all receive the same training and learn together,” Dr Ormston said.

“Having access to a dedicated simulation space through Mater Education provides an added element of safety and convenience allowing us to develop this specialised simulation course for anaesthetics that just wouldn’t have been possible without access to the Fellowship.”

While Dr Ormston has used his Fellowship in the area of anaesthetics, Dr Richard Mausling has worked to develop a series of simulation-based training programs for registrars and nurses working in Mater Mothers’ Hospitals Neonatal Critical Care Unit to help improve the skills and confidence of early career clinicians.

“The Fellowship has freed up time to enable me to take the lead role in developing some specialised training for clinicians in the area of neonatology,” Dr Mausling said.

“Some early career clinicians have not had exposure to working in the neonatology environment before and given it is a highly specialised area of medicine, being able to run simulation exercises regularly within the unit has been incredibly useful.  Through the Fellowship we are now able to run weekly simulations which have dramatically increased the number of staff exposed to the training.  It has improved safety and we have seen a change in the way our people now react during a real life scenario.”

During Mater’s 12 month program, Fellows also take the MGH Institute’s Simulation Concentrations. Upon completion of these courses, Fellows will be equipped with the education principles to integrate their clinical acumen and knowledge with the educational and theoretical tools to teach others in both academic and clinical settings, ultimately leading to improved patient care.

Mater Education Chief Executive Officer Donna Bonney said the affiliations with MGH Institute of Health Professions and the Center for Medical Simulation are important for Mater Education.

“The partnership highlights our ongoing commitment to develop a world-class offering in simulation based education and quality improvement initiatives. Mater Education is dedicated to providing students and clinicians with the best opportunities to continue developing their own clinical expertise and professional practice and their capability to effectively develop others.”