PG27 Throwing SAS doctors into the sea: can simulation based education help them swim?

Background Staff grade, associate specialist and speciality (SAS) doctors offer medical professionals an alternative model to the standard training programme. It is becoming more popular in the UK, with around 11,000 of England’s medical doctors in an SAS role (1). It is recognised that SAS doctors are under supported. This is exacerbated for those trained overseas who come as work as senior members of staff. Strategy for SAS Doctors development 2016–2017 identifies that non-UK trained SAS doctors should have speciality specific courses to help bridge the gap in knowledge and ease them into the NHS hospital working culture (2). The next decade will see NHS being more and more reliant on SAS doctors but can we do anything to help make their journey of transition any easier? Summary of Work The hospital recruits a number of SAS doctors that after a few weeks of being employed, are placed on the senior rota with limited training. This was recognised to be problematic as they were still learning hospital processes. A simulation based educational (SBE) programme was designed to address non-technical skills (NTS) and practicalities of working in the UK for non-UK trained SAS doctors. These were chosen after gaining feedback from colleagues from which six themes were identified: team management and delegation, leadership, communication with team members and family and supporting junior doctors. Prior to starting medical on calls, SAS doctors were enrolled on a 2 weekly SBE that reflected common scenarios encountered during medical on calls and highlighted protocols within the trust. Results 3 sessions were delivered to 20 SAS doctors. 55% had no previous simulation experience but 60% perceived SBE 10 on 10 for usefulness in their training. 90% found simulation training to be a very useful experience and all agreed that this should be regularly implemented into their teaching programme. Discussion The feedback from this new SBE programme has been overwhelmingly positive and SAS doctors are keen for this to be incorporated into their teaching rota. Simulation allows practice of and application of knowledge with the added benefits of enhancing understanding of practicalities and protocols of the trust which is not as easy to convey when delivering didactic teaching. The Pandemic paused the training programme but it will be re started. Recommendations We recommend that NHS trusts consider a SBE programme into the curriculum of SAS doctors to ensure they swim through this journey and not sink. References Health Education England. 2019. Maximising the Potential: essential measures to support SAS doctors. Available at: https://www.hee.nhs.uk/sites/default/files/documents/SAS_Report_Web.pdf (Last accessed 28/07/2020) Health Education England 2016 – 2017. Strategy for SAS Doctors development. Available at:https://heeoe.hee.nhs.uk/sites/default/files/1._strategy_for_sas_doctors_development_2016-17_final.pdf (Last accessed 28/07/2020)