P3D132: Achievements and Challenges of a Paediatrics Simulation Programme (PSP) in Resource-constrained Healthcare Settings, the Keepmesafe Project

Background: Simulation-based training (SBE) is widely used in medical education in high-income countries, but implementation in low and middle-income countries (LMICs) has been limited. Challenges such as political instability, financial burdens, and a lack of trainers have hindered Sudan's healthcare system, particularly in acute and critical paediatrics. The KeepMeSAFE project aims to address this by providing frequent, centralised, and hospital-based to improve practical paediatric training. This approach is innovative and seeks to overcome the challenges facing Sudan's healthcare system.

Project Description: The KeepMeSAFE project has three stages aimed at improving practical paediatric training in Sudan's healthcare system. The first stage was a self-funded course taught by international faculty, identifying potential local trainers. The second stage focuses on monthly virtual Case based discussion activities. Stage three includes a pilot programme for continuous preparation. Participants from two hospitals in Khartoum began the pilot programme in August 2022, with local and international instructors joining via virtual live simulation. The project aims to advance to stage three based on pilot outcomes and feedback. The KeepMeSAFE project's innovative approach aims to overcome healthcare system challenges and improve patient care quality.

Discussion: The pilot phase of the KeepMeSAFE project faced several challenges, including the lack of readily available teaching materials, difficulty in sustaining the program, lack of awareness among healthcare professionals, and implementing constructive debriefs. To address these issues, low-fidelity manikins were provided, one-to-one feedback was provided, and virtual sessions were held to educate local instructors. Despite these obstacles, the project achieved several accomplishments, including the establishment of a regional paediatrics simulation centre at no cost, the creation of mobile simulation training teams in two hospitals, and the establishment of a Paediatrics rapid response team. The local instructors recognized the importance of debriefing following crucial events and simulation sessions, and it has become routine practice. There are plans to establish a mobile simulation team in every Paediatrics unit in Khartoum city, and the Paediatric Simulation Program will be incorporated into the national curriculum for paediatrics training. These achievements demonstrate the effectiveness of the KeepMeSAFE project in improving healthcare training in developing countries and promoting the use of immersive simulation to enhance the skills of medical professionals.

Conclusion: The KeepMeSAFE project's three-stage approach aims to improve paediatric healthcare training in Sudan. The pilot programme, launched in August 2022, provided a secure and high-quality learning environment for paediatric professionals through live simulation. Simulation proved to be more effective than other methods in improving clinical and non-clinical skills. Ongoing support and collaboration are needed to ensure project sustainability. The success of the KeepMeSAFE project could serve as a model for similar initiatives in other settings with limited resources, demonstrating the potential for immersive simulation to improve healthcare training and outcomes in developing countries.