Author Of 2 Presentations
IMPLEMENTING PEDIATRIC SIMULATIONS TO IMPROVE MEDICAL EDUCATION IN THE COUNTRY OF GEORGIA
Abstract
Background
Georgia, being a developing country, has made great progress in improving medical education over the last two decades. Still certain shortcomings maintain, such as lack of medical simulations, leading to students learning various skills with real patients, posing obvious risks in highly sensitive fields such as pediatric intensive care and emergency medicine.
Objectives
The purpose of this project is to implement pediatric simulations in the curriculum of Georgian medical universities, enabling students to acquire skills in a safe environment, ensuring not only patient safety, but also students’ confidence and high performance.
Methods
Interested institutions will be offered a trial course of pediatric simulations. Feedback will be evaluated by an extensive questionnaire at the end of the course and various written and practical assessments will be used to measure the effectiveness. If desired to maintain the course, the academic staff will be trained to conduct the simulations independently, ensuring continuity and the long-term result of the project.
Results
In the fall of 2018, New Vision University has participated in the project and with positive feedback, has agreed to maintain the simulations in the curriculum. In the spring of 2019, Tbilisi Medical Academy will also be starting the trial course of simulations and setting up their own simulation lab.
Conclusion
Although some universities have had mannequins, medical simulations are still a novelty in Georgia. By providing the risk-free trial course, the administrations can see the effectiveness of the simulations and implement them in the curriculum, moving closer to achieving high quality pediatric medicine in Georgia.
EVALUATION OF PEDIATRIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE IN THE COUNTRY OF GEORGIA
Abstract
Background
Pediatric preparedness in emergency departments (EDs) in Georgia has not been systematically assessed. In most hospitals, pediatric emergencies are attended by a general pediatrician, while more severe cases are referred to adult intensivists, surgeons, or anesthesiologists.
Objectives
The purpose of this study is to measure pediatric emergency preparedness in Georgia using in situ simulations and surveys of general emergency departments, and improve preparedness through gap analysis and action plans.
Methods
This prospective multicenter cohort study involves all EDs in Georgia. Each site will complete a survey to assess pediatric preparedness across six domains (QI, policies, safety, staffing, equipment, coordination). This program also includes an assessment of performance by inter-professional teams caring for four standardized simulated pediatric patients.
Results
To date, we have conducted the pediatric readiness survey in six hospitals in the region of Tbilisi. The in-situ simulations were conducted in three hospitals to date. Preparedness in Georgia seemed to be higher in EDs with higher patient volume. The median readiness score was 37.4/100 points with the weakest areas being quality improvement, care coordination and quality improvement efforts. Regarding the simulation scenarios, sepsis was the most challenging case (median 33%) for all hospitals while the performance during the seizure scenario was the strongest (median 43%).
Conclusion
Our results suggest that pediatric preparedness in Georgia is consistently low across six hospitals visited to date. Further visits in other areas of the country and the simulation-based assessment will help further characterize this finding, and these assessments form the basis for future improvement efforts in the Country.
Presenter of 1 Presentation
EVALUATION OF PEDIATRIC EMERGENCY MEDICINE IN THE COUNTRY OF GEORGIA
Abstract
Background
Pediatric preparedness in emergency departments (EDs) in Georgia has not been systematically assessed. In most hospitals, pediatric emergencies are attended by a general pediatrician, while more severe cases are referred to adult intensivists, surgeons, or anesthesiologists.
Objectives
The purpose of this study is to measure pediatric emergency preparedness in Georgia using in situ simulations and surveys of general emergency departments, and improve preparedness through gap analysis and action plans.
Methods
This prospective multicenter cohort study involves all EDs in Georgia. Each site will complete a survey to assess pediatric preparedness across six domains (QI, policies, safety, staffing, equipment, coordination). This program also includes an assessment of performance by inter-professional teams caring for four standardized simulated pediatric patients.
Results
To date, we have conducted the pediatric readiness survey in six hospitals in the region of Tbilisi. The in-situ simulations were conducted in three hospitals to date. Preparedness in Georgia seemed to be higher in EDs with higher patient volume. The median readiness score was 37.4/100 points with the weakest areas being quality improvement, care coordination and quality improvement efforts. Regarding the simulation scenarios, sepsis was the most challenging case (median 33%) for all hospitals while the performance during the seizure scenario was the strongest (median 43%).
Conclusion
Our results suggest that pediatric preparedness in Georgia is consistently low across six hospitals visited to date. Further visits in other areas of the country and the simulation-based assessment will help further characterize this finding, and these assessments form the basis for future improvement efforts in the Country.