We currently have three BMSc TiM students working on projects within the CSC supervised by Dr George Hogg.
Rebekah Wallace is working on a project investigating 1st Year students perspectives of using video to portray the changes in physical appearance associated with clinical deterioration. Changes in physical appearance, physiological parameters and psychological (conscious) status are the three tenets of early detection of clinical deterioration. In first year students are introduced to these using video, stills photography and simulated patients. Rebekah’s work has identified that video portrayal of a deterioration episode is the preferred teaching method for the students’ early stage of learning, with simulated patients seen as ‘too complex’ for the level of experience students have.
Calum Macmillan’s project has examined the impact of the Acute Medical Unit Simulation Exercise (AMUSE) on the development of students clinical decision making skills. The AMUSE was redeveloped in 2016 by Dr Jo Sloan to incorporate a consultant led ward round and more clinical patients. Allowing the students to work in real time was a big change from previous WSE’s. Calum has used questionnaires and focus groups to identify from students who completed the AMUSE and have had a placement in AMU in Ninewells or PRI their views of how AMUSE developed clinical decision making skills. The study has shown that the AMUSE, a placement and time to reflect has a positive impact on the development of clinical decision making.
Melissa Bremner is also looking at how we teach students to respond better to acutely ill and deteriorating patients through her investigation of the use of moulage and props with simulated patients and year 1 medical students. One of the major considerations in simulation is the realism of the situations. Realism is a complex issue but physical realism is crucial in allowing students to focus on the physical changes inherent in clinical deterioration.