A new approach to multi-professional end of life care training using a sequential simulation (SqS Simulation™) design: A mixed methods study

Background: A need for improved education and training for hospital staff caring for patients in the last year of life was identified at an urban UK hospital. Sequential Simulation (SqS Simulation™) is a type of simulation that recreates a patient's journey, considering the longitudinal element of care and how this might impact on the patient's experiences, wishes and needs. Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate a new end of life care training intervention for multi-professional hospital staff, and its effect on their confidence in managing patients at the end of their life. Setting/Participants: Based on the results of a formal Training Needs Analysis, four SqS Simulation™ specialty- based courses were designed for general medical and surgical multidisciplinary teams in an acute UK hospital. Methods: Over three months, seven SqS Simulation™ sessions were attended by fifty-seven multidisciplinary healthcare professionals. A quasi-experimental mixed-methods study was conducted using open and closed-ended questionnaires, pre and post-intervention. Changes in course attendees' confidence levels were analysed and qualitative data from free-text answers informed potential reasons for any differences identified. Results: Confidence improved for all professional cohorts (p<0.001). The differences were found to be highly significant for ‘doctors’ (p