ICS & FICM Simulation

Simulation as an educational tool has become more advanced and accepted by the medical profession over the last two decades. The ability to use simulation in point of care deliberate practice has become readily available in individual institutions as well as simulation centres. Although a number of centres of excellence in simulation exist in the UK and along with several simulation societies, resources and support for those who wish to start critical care simulation are not freely available or critical care specific.

Simulation is a useful educational methodology, best used to acquire non-technical skills in critical care. Examples include:

• multidisciplinary team working particularly crisis resource management
• point of care simulation addressing local needs
• critical incidents
• communication
• high performing team development
• deliberate practice of common and uncommon scenarios
• workforce development
• organ donation
• assessment of team performance
• feedback
• doctors in difficulty
• revalidation.

Simulation can also be used for mastering critical care technical skills i.e. airway, critical care equipment, echocardiography, bronchoscopy, chest drains, invasive lines, although this is limited by fidelity. Simulation can potentially be used for training and assessment of critical care doctors, although evidence of validity is limited. It may also be used to expose physicians to areas of critical care that are difficult to teach or are seldom seen.

An ICS simulation group has been formed in an effort to explore the use of simulation in critical care in the UK, share good practice and solutions to common problems in instigating critical care simulation and discuss how critical care simulation can be supported and encouraged. This group was invited to combine with the Faculty of Intensive Care Medicine to form a FICM and ICS simulation development group. The terms of reference and minutes of last meeting of this group are available on this page

If you would like to be involved with the simulation group please contact Dr Sid Khan at sidkhan@me.com

Z Khan May 2012

Draft Terms of Reference

Interested in Simulation? The ICS are running a Practical Seminar on 'Critical Care Simulation at the Point of Care' on 20th June, 2013 at Churchill House, London.