Simulation training - pilot: Psychiatry higher trainees’ mental health tribunal report writing, oral presentation and cross-examination by tribunal panel

Introduction: Simulation provides a non-judgemental environment where trainees learn skills without compromising patients’safety or dignity. It also provides safe environment where anxiety-provoking, real-life clinical situations can be recreated and repeatedly practiced. Mental health review tribunal is an anxiety provoking experience for higher trainees and use of simulation can alleviate this anxiety. Aims: To develop trainees’ skills in writing of tribunal reports and giving oral evidence using simulation technique (ST). Objective: To facilitate trainees’ familiarisation with the process of Mental Health tribunal and improve their skills in completing report and giving oral evidence using ST. Methods: There are 2 sessions: one half-day session of interactive teaching providing fundamental details on essential elements of the tribunal process, duties and report. This is followed by 4-weeks gap to allow participants to prepare and submit anonymised patients’ reports to the panel. Finally, a second full day of presentation and cross-examination by (real) tribunal panel with 25-minutes of formative feedback. Results: Six trainees participated in the pilot: A high percentage of participants strongly agreed or agreed that ST is an effective learning experience for tribunal report writing and cross-examination by the panel. Similar proportion agreed that ST helped to facilitate familiarisation with the tribunal process and that it is a satisfactory teaching method. Finally, all participants agreed that ST helped to achieve personal objectives for attending the seminar. Conclusions: Simulation in psychiatry is becoming an effective learning experience. The outcome of this pilot on report writing and cross-examination by tribunal panels how its increasing effectiveness and relevance in psychiatry.