Pre-Registration Students Reactions To Simulation As An Education Approach Within An Operating Department Practitioner Curriculum – A Qualitative Review

Background The Operating Department Practitioner (ODP) is a key member of the perioperative multidisciplinary health care team in the United Kingdom. To effectively prepare students for this challenging role, simulated learning and assessment is increasingly being built into the ODP curriculum. Owing to a paucity of evidence, a pilot study was undertaken to explore ODP students' experiences and emotional responses to simulation teaching and assessment strategies. Methods A phenomenological qualitative approach using a semistructured focus-group interview, using a purposive sample (n = 5) of ODP students, was conducted and followed up by a questionnaire. Analysis was informed by Braun and Clarke's thematic approach. Results Key findings identified included: emotional responses, learning styles, authenticity, and assessment preparation. Conclusion ODP students responded positively to simulated learning strategies with emphasis to increase the frequency and their exposure to normalize simulated assessment. It is essential, however, to ensure simulation has clinical relevance and authenticity

Developing a Culture of Publication: a joint enterprise writing retreat

Purpose: Many students irrespective of level of study produce excellent course work which, if given support and encouragement could clearly be of a publishable standard. Academic staff are expected to produce quality publications meeting peer review standards although they may be relatively novice authors. All are engaged in some aspects of academic writing practices but not as frequently involved in co-production of publications emanating from student work. This activity is still at the margins of much of the student experience. Design/methodology: Mindful of these issues, we designed and offered a writing programme including a writing retreat. This brought together undergraduate and postgraduate students from a range of applied disciplines (health and art, design and architecture) and their supervisors with the aim of co-producing publications and participating in a community of scholarly practice. The project was delivered over nine months. It involved four days ‘compulsory’ attendance and included a preparatory workshop, a two day off campus writing retreat and a dissemination event. Student and supervisors applied to participate as a team. Kirkpatrick’s (2006) four-stage classic model: reaction, learning, changes in behaviour and real world results was used as a framework for the educational evaluation. Key findings organised thematically were: Supervisor-supervisee relationships; space and time; building confidence enabling successful writing and publication. Originality/Value: This paper will provide an overview of the design, content and approaches used for successful delivery of this innovative project. It will draw on examples that illustrate the different types of joint enterprise that emerged, illuminate experiences of co-production and co-authorship along with recommendations for future ventures