Through the looking glass: The use of old age and bariatric simulation suits in clinical skills education

Janet Hunter

City University London

Janet Hunter is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Health Sciences, City University LondonHer teaching speciality is in clinical skills education and she is especially interested in Simulated Practice. The majority of her teaching and module leadership is within the Simulated Practice modules and she leads on the objective structured clinical examinations (OSCEs) within the nursing curriculum. Janet led on the development of ‘Simulated Practice’ within the 2012 pre-registration nursing curriculum. This is the first nursing curriculum at City University London that includes 300 hours of simulated practice per student. Her research interests lie in evaluation of innovations in nursing education. Her current research project is on exploring how the use of simulation suits influences student nurses’ attitudes towards older adults and those who are morbidly obese.

Karen Rawlings-Anderson

City University London

Karen Rawlings-Anderson is a Senior lecturer in the School of Health Sciences, City University London. She has over 25 years of nursing education experience.Her teaching expertise lies within professional issues in nursing with a particular focus on clinical decision making, acute care skills and medicines managment. A significant amount of her teaching is within the Simulated Practice modules of the nursing curriculum. Karen led on the development of the current pre-registration nursing curriculum and has undertaken research evaluating the ‘blended learning’ aspect of this. The findings of this research has lead to enhancing the student experience within the School of Health Sciences. Her current research is on exploring how the use of simulation suits influences student nurses’ attitudes towards older adults and those who are morbidly obese.

Abstract

Title and Background
Through the looking glass: The use of old age and bariatric simulation suits in clinical skills education
Healthcare needs of the world’s population reflect the changing demographic. Worldwide obesity has doubled since 1980. In the UK one in four adults are obese. The number of older persons worldwide (60 +) are expected to reach over 2 billion by 2050. In the UK, the population of over 65 year olds will increase by 50% to 16 million by 2030.
Nurses are required to provide person centred care. This may be difficult for those who have not engaged with older adults and those who are morbidly obese. Consequently this limits their ability to value diversity and promote inclusivity within their professional practice.
Aims and Objectives:
The use of simulation suits with student nurses aims to facilitate an understanding and appreciation of some of the physical, emotional and psychological difficulties that these patient groups face. The experience aims to promote person-centred care and enhance professional practice.
Description of innovation:
The creative use of simulation suits, both bariatric and older adult, has provided an opportunity for student nurses to explore the lived experience of these patient groups. Students are asked to carry out everyday activities whilst wearing the suits and then reflect upon this experience. This enables students to articulate their experiences and feelings relating to the experience. The use of video feedback also facilitates group discussion about the implications for nursing and appropriate, person centred-care.
Impact of innovation
Students have positively evaluated these workshops and report that it has given them new insights into the lived experience of these patient groups, the stigma they may encounter and the skills required to provide an empathetic approach to care.
Conclusions and implications
A formal research project has now been designed to evaluate the influence of simulation suits on the attitudes of nursing students towards older adults and those who are morbidly obese. The findings will be discussed in light of the use of simulation suits as a meaningful educational strategy.

Authors

Janet Hunter (City University London)
Karen Rawlings-Anderson (City University London)
Tracey Bowden (City University London)
Tracy Lindsay (City University London)

Topic Area

Innovations in research methodology, education or clinical practice

Session

PE-1 » Professional Education 1 (10:30 - Wednesday, 4th November, Seminar Room 0.55)

Presentation Files

The presenter has not uploaded any presentation files.

Email Support • Blog • Privacy Policy • Cancellation Policy