Simulation Training

The UCD intern network in collaboration with St Vincent’s University Hospital delivered a series of intern simulation sessions led by (opens in a new window)Dr Myles Doyle, Consultant Adult Psychiatrist, St Vincent’s University Hospital. This consultant led and multi-disciplinary training covered EPA6, ‘Deterioration of Ward based Patient’ aligned to the core competencies from the eight domains of Good Professional Practice, (Medical Council, 2022).

Simulation scenarios were strategically crafted to create an intimate and interactive learning environment, catering to the needs of newly qualified doctors in addressing acute psychiatric issues, supporting the HSE modernisation project workstream 1: Preparedness for practice. These actor-led sessions portrayed a challenging patient and presented personalised scenarios, prompting UCD interns to actively participate and contribute.

The outcome exceeded all expectations, leaving a profound and lasting impact on the UCD interns (2023 - 2024). The success of these sessions attribute to their realistic and collaborative approach, as interns willingly shared answers and offered support to facilitate each other's learning.

One intern remarked:

 "Really fantastic scenarios, feel better equipped to deal with an intense scenario like the sim"

Whilst another said:

"Simulations are definitely the best way to learn!"

As a result, the UCD intern network & St Vincent’s University Hospital recognises the potential of simulation training to empower UCD interns enhancing their skill set in acute medical and psychiatric scenarios.  The UCD intern simulation programme transforms traditional learning methods enhancing the overall educational experience for NCHDs.

Medical Council, (2022). Good Professional Practice. Available at: (opens in a new window)https://www.medicalcouncil.ie/existing-registrants-/good-professional-practice/ (Accessed on 18 November 2022)

The last iteration of UCD simulation intern training workshops was held on May 23, 2023 at St Vincent’s University Hospital. This training was facilitated by the UCD intern network in collaboration with the IEHG national simulation training leads to support a Scalable Sustainable Simulation Solution to Advance the Medical Education and Training of Interns with a focus on specific Entrustable Professional Activities, EPAs.

Led by Dr John Cronin, IEHG South Simulation Training Lead, National Emergency Medicine Training Programme Simulation Senior Faculty and Dr Gerard O Connor, IEHG North Simulation Training Lead, National Emergency Medicine Training Programme Simulation Lead.

This consultant led and multi-disciplinary training covered EPA6, ‘Deterioration of Ward based Patient’ aligned to the core competencies from the eight domains of Good Professional Practice, (Medical Council, 2022).

Interns were required to demonstrate competency in patient safety via an EPA 6 simulation workshop, with a central focus on ‘Recognising and managing the deteriorating/acutely unwell patient’. Interns demonstrated an excellent level of interpersonal communication skills and collaborated effectively with their simulation trainers in a team -based environment, encouraged to demonstrate skills with situational awareness. Human factors such as non-technical skills were taught in the simulation -based scenarios.

We would like to thank all faculty for their involvement and a special thank you to the National Doctors Training Programme (NDTP), HSE for funding this initiative.

Medical Council, (2022). Good Professional Practice. Available at: (opens in a new window)https://www.medicalcouncil.ie/existing-registrants-/good-professional-practice/ (Accessed on 18 November 2022)

The UCD intern network in collaboration with the IEHG national simulation training leads were proud to deliver a pilot of simulation training workshops to UCD interns on November 07 & 14 2022.  These workshops support a Scalable Sustainable Simulation Solution to Advance the Medical Education and Training of Interns with a focus on specific Entrustable Professional Activities, EPAs led by Dr Gerard O Connor, IEHG North Simulation Training Lead, National Emergency Medicine Training Programme Simulation Lead and Dr John Cronin, IEHG South Simulation Training Lead, National Emergency Medicine Training Programme Simulation Senior Faculty.

This consultant led and multi-disciplinary training covered EPA6, ‘Deterioration of Ward based Patient’ aligned to the core competencies from the eight domains of Good Professional Practice, (Medical Council, 2022).

L-R: Dr Paul Carroll, UCD intern, Ms Fiona Sands, Nurse Lead, National Emergency Medicine Programme, Ms Rachel Gilmore, Nurse Lead, National Emergency Medicine Programme, Commandant Phil Bonner, Human Factors Instructor, Dr Mohammed  El-Gamati, UCD Intern, Ms Christine Comer, Advanced Nurse Practitioner, James Connolly Hospital, Dr John Cronin, IEHG South Simulation Training Lead, National Emergency Medicine Training Programme Simulation Senior Faculty

Interns were required to demonstrate competency in patient safety via an EPA 6 simulation workshop, with a central focus on ‘Recognising and managing the deteriorating/acutely unwell patient’. Interns demonstrated an excellent level of interpersonal communication skills and collaborated effectively with their simulation trainers in a team -based environment, encouraged to demonstrate skills with situational awareness. Human factors such as non-technical skills were taught in the simulation -based scenarios.

Commandant Phil Bonner, Instructor in Human Factors	L-R: Dr Mohamed El Gamati, UCD Intern, Dr Paul Carroll, UCD intern, Dr Grainne O Keefe, UCD intern, Ms Fiona Sands, Advanced Nurse Practitioner, Dr Vianka Marcelino, UCD Intern
L-R: Dr Paul Carroll, UCD intern, Dr Grainne O Keefe, UCD intern,Ms Fiona Sands, Advanced Nurse Practitioner, Ms Christine Comer, Advanced Nurse Practitioner	L-R: Dr Paul Carroll, UCD intern, Ms. Fiona Sands, Dr Grainne O Keefe, UCD intern, Ms Rachel Gilmore,  Advanced Nurse Practitioner, Commandant Phil Bonner, Dr Vianka Marcelino, UCD intern, Dr Mohamed El-Gamati, UCD intern
L-R: Ms Fiona Sands, Advanced Nurse Practitioner, Dr Vianka Marcelino, UCD Intern, Dr John Cronin, IEHG South Simulation Training Lead, Ms Christine Comer, Advanced Nurse Practitioner, Dr Mohammed  El-Gamati, UCD Intern, Dr Paul Carroll, UCD intern	LR: Commandant Phil Bonner, Instructor in  Human Factors, Dr John Cronin, IEHG South Simulation Training Lead

We would like to thank all faculty for their involvement and a special thank you to the National Doctors Training Programme (NDTP), HSE for funding this initiative.

Medical Council, (2022). Good Professional Practice. Available at: (opens in a new window)https://www.medicalcouncil.ie/existing-registrants-/good-professional-practice/ (Accessed on 18 November 2022)