Research Scoping Project to Construct a Strategic Vision for the Future Use of Clinical Skills and Simulation in the UK

In March 2008 Birmingham City University was awarded funding by the West Midlands Strategic Health Authority to scope and define the use of clinical skills and simulation facilities and their role in delivering the future workforce in the NHS West midlands (UK).  This project was supported by a unique partnership between Birmingham City University, and the Medical Schools of the University of Birmingham and Warwick University. Methods: The partnership enabled access to undergraduate and post-registration curricula for diagnostic radiography, medicine (including anaesthetic practitioners and physicians assistants), midwifery, nursing, operating department practice, paramedic care, physiotherapy, radiotherapy and other allied healthcare professions across the whole of a strategic health authority region.  Through a number of research methods the partners were able to effectively address the brief whilst adopting an open mind to the outcomes.  Results: The partners scoped the existing provision of skills and simulation education in the West Midlands, mapped skills across the variety of health care curricula, reviewed resourcing models and drew together an international Expert Panel, which included our partners at the University of Pittsburgh (USA), to vision the future of clinical skills and simulation education. Conclusion: The presentation will explore the outcomes of the project and key lessons that have been learnt. It will offer invaluable insight into how clinical skills and simulation based education is perceived and delivered at a strategic level. It will also seek to reveal key recommendations from the research on how healthcare funding bodies might approach a framework for the provision of sustainable skills education for its workforce. This presentation will also offer guidance for others seeking to undertake such research and discuss how the findings can be implemented within the UK and elsewhere