Simulation is well established in medical education. However, with rising numbers of medical students globally, provision of high-quality, equitable simulation teaching on a large, multisite scale is increasingly challenging. We sought to explore whether a centrally designed, multisite simulation programme could enhance student confidence equitably across multiple clinical sites with differing resources.
An evaluative study on the changes in medical student confidence on defined intended learning outcomes (ILOs) in 3 undergraduate year groups across 11 simulation sessions delivered at eight different clinical sites with variable resources and facilitators.
Eight hospitals affiliated with Imperial College School of Medicine.
Students’ self-reported confidence in achieving the ILOs via a questionnaire at the end of each session. Changes in confidence following each session were analysed and compared across sites.
522 students responded to the survey over 3 academic years. Students’ mean confidence in achieving ILOs increased in all sessions. Nine out of 10 sessions showed no statistically significant difference in the confidence increases between sites.
Our study suggests it is possible to deliver an equitable, centrally designed, large-scale simulation teaching programme to medical students across multiple clinical sites with different facilitator teams. The programme is sustainable, easily facilitated by new teaching fellows each year and is likely adaptable to other healthcare professions and settings.
Despite a growing multidisciplinary interest in the Child and Family Centred Care approach, its meaning remains unclear in extant literature. It is, therefore, crucial to explore, analyse, describe, and clarify the concept of the Child and Family Centred Care approach and its associated terms.
A three-phased principle-based concept analysis approach was used to analyse the concept of Child and Family Centred Care. A systematic search of literature was completed using the CINAHL, PsycINFO, Medline, Scopus, and Web of Science databases. Peer-reviewed articles on Child and Family Centred Care, published from inception to 2023 were included if they were available in English and discussed children aged zero to 17 years, healthcare providers, and/or caregivers. A systematic screening of articles was undertaken to remove duplicates and articles that did not meet the inclusion criteria. A concept quality criteria assessment was performed independently based on a recommended appraisal tool.
Full texts of the retained 23 titles were included in the deductive thematic analysis. Guided by the three-phased principle-based concept analysis approach, data were grouped into epistemological, pragmatic, linguistic, and logical principles. The study revealed various characteristics of the concept of interest to highlight the common terms associated with the concept, primarily being collaboration, participation, communication, and respect/dignity.
This concept analysis provides a theoretical definition of the Child and Family Centred Care approach. The definition emphasises the child as an individual and an active collaborator with healthcare providers and their family. Standardised language improving health outcomes, patient satisfaction, and healthcare systems.
No Patient or Public Contribution.
Thousands of patients with mental illness are admitted to acute adult mental health wards every year in England, where local guidance recommends that all mental health settings be entirely smokefree. Mental health Trusts presently invest substantial effort and resources to implement smoke-free policies and to deliver tobacco dependence treatment to patients. Providing adequate support can help those who smoke remain abstinent or quit smoking during their smoke-free inpatient stay and beyond. At present, little is known about how best to support patients to prevent their return to pre-admission smoking behaviours after discharge from a smoke-free mental health inpatient stay. We have developed an intervention which includes targeted resources to support smoking-related behaviour change in patients following discharge from a smoke-free mental health setting. The aim of this trial is to determine the feasibility of a large-scale clinical trial to test the effectiveness and cost-effectiveness of the SCEPTRE intervention, compared with usual care.
This feasibility study will be an individually randomised, controlled trial in eight National Health Service mental health Trusts recruiting adults (≥18 years) admitted to an acute adult mental health inpatient setting who smoke tobacco on admission, or at any point during their inpatient stay. Consenting participants will be randomised to receive a 12-week intervention consisting of components aimed at promoting or maintaining positive smoking-related behaviour change following discharge from a smoke-free mental health inpatient setting or usual care. Data will be collected at baseline, 3 months and a second timepoint between 4 and 6 months post-randomisation. With 64 participants (32 in each group), the trial will allow a participation rate of 15% and completion rate of 80% to be estimated within a 95% CI of ±3% and ±10%, respectively. The analysis will be descriptive and follow a prespecified plan.
Ethics approval was obtained from the North West—Greater Manchester West Research Ethics Committee. We will share results widely through local, national and international academic, clinical and patient and public involvement networks. The results will be disseminated through conference presentations, peer-reviewed journals and will be published on the trial website: https://sceptreresearch.com/.
To synthesise stakeholders' experiences and perceptions of animal-assisted intervention (AAI) for people with dementia in community care settings.
Qualitative evidence synthesis.
We systematically searched Medline, CINAHL, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, PsycINFO and AgeLine for potentially eligible studies. Thematic synthesis was used to analyse the data from included studies. We assessed the methodological limitations of included studies using an adaptation of the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme checklist and used Confidence in the Evidence from Reviews of Qualitative Research (GRADE-CERQual) tool to assess confidence in review findings. This review is reported using the ENTREQ checklist.
We included 14 reports from 11 studies and developed three analytical themes incorporating a gardening analogy: planting–connecting with animals, growing–engaging in AAI and nurturing–making AAI work; and six subthemes: willingness to connect, building relationships, a rich experience, the benefits of AAI, individualised and holistic approach and training and support, with 15 key findings.
This review describes people's experiences and perceptions of AAI for people with dementia, and provides recommendations on the development and implementation of AAI, with moderate to high confidence. Nurses need to consider the factors that influence the implementation of AAI identified in this review, to facilitate engagement and long-term impacts while adopting AAI in community care settings.
This review may enhance healthcare professionals' understanding of AAI for people with dementia in community care settings. AAI is a complex intervention that can be delivered in varied manner. A multicomponent, flexible and individualised AAI is important. Additional training and education for staff are needed.
A man with dementia and his wife who share a love of dogs, advised at each step of the review, providing insights and perspectives and contributing as co-authors.