13/01/2010  Simulation Training  

College of Anaesthetists Simulation Training (CAST) Programme

The College of Anaesthetists in Ireland is pleased to preliminary announce the launching of the College of Anaesthetists Simulation Training (CAST) Programme in early 2010.  This programme is the result of a successful educational partnership between the College of Anaesthetists in Ireland and the Advanced Southern Simulation Education and Training Centre (ASSET) University College Cork, Clinical Skills Laboratory RCSI Education and Research Centre Beaumont Hospital, Regional Clinical Skills and Simulation Centre St. James’s Hospital Dublin and Department of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care Galway University Hospital.  Members of the College Council, various Committees and Anesthesia Consultants from Regional Clinical Skills and Simulation Centres have played a major role in the initiation and development of this novel exciting College of Anesthetists initiative.

The CAST programme is aiming at integrating simulation-based methods of education and training in healthcare into more traditional methods of education, training and assessment in the speciality of anaesthesia in Ireland. Human-patient simulator-based training has been gaining increasing recognition in healthcare as an educational method that takes into accounts the needs and obstacles of modern clinical training such as shorter working hours, limited exposure to critical events and increased patient expectations. During full-scale realistic simulation any possible shortfall in training becomes traceable, understandable and treatable in a safe controlled environment where knowledge gaps and procedural mistakes could happen and be corrected without inflicting any risk on real patients. Furthermore, acknowledging that human factors underline most medical errors, human behavior in a crisis can be observed and taught appropriately.

The general principles underlying the development of the CAST programme are as in the following: (1) careful mapping to the current competence-based training curriculum in anaesthesia; (2) national coverage; (3) uniform educational content; (4) homogenous training of educators; and (5) continuous quality management programmes.  The programme consists of a range of core courses such as Anaesthesia Emergencies Part I and II, Obstetric Anaesthesia and Paediatric Anaesthesia, and also more advanced specialized courses such as Cardio-Thoracic Anaesthesia, Trauma and Intensive Care Courses. These courses are deemed to be developed and delivered over a phased period of time, with Anaesthesia Emergencies Part I due to commence as soon as February 2010.

During the course participants will be exposed to a wide variety of clinical scenarios where learning objectives are clearly defined ahead. Each scenario will be followed by personalized feedback during lengthy instructor-led debrief sessions that augment the learning outcomes. Both individual competency and performance as a team member will be discussed in an open no blame manner. Certificates of Participation and CME points will be awarded to all participants at course completion.

The College is inviting our trainees to attend these courses. We promise to deliver an out-of-the ordinary, challenging and fulfilling experience. Please contact our Director of Medical Simulation          Dr. Crina Burlacu at cburlacu@coa.ie or Miss Maria Golden at mgolden@coa.ie  phone 01 6614412 for further enquiries.   

Dates for future simulation courses click here