‘SafePsych’: delivering a multidisciplinary psychiatry simulation using remote technology — impact on learners and simulation facilitators

McMahon, Eimear Elizabeth Tong Kezanne Bronwyn Reid McDermott Byrne Dara Doherty Anne M.

Correspondence to Dr Eimear Elizabeth McMahon, Psychiatry, Galway University Hospitals, Galway, Ireland; COVID-19 has presented many challenges to all aspects of the medical environment, including teaching and learning.1 2 Following an almost complete cessation of face-to-face simulation teaching activities in Spring 2020 due to COVID-19, we adapted and turned to the use of creative solutions to teach clinical skills in a safe but effective learning environment. Simulation training in psychiatry has traditionally focused on communication skills teaching and learning.3 4 Previous reports discussed the advantages of simulation as an alternative to role play for providing trainees with clinical experience in a safe learning environment with the potential for improved educational outcomes.5 We outline our experience of running a socially distanced simulation workshop for a multidisciplinary group of learners in psychiatry, combining a small number of in-person learners and a larger number attending synchronously and remotely using Zoom audiovisual technology.6 Workshop development Galway University Hospitals (GUH) is a tertiary teaching hospital on the west coast of Ireland. A small number of learners attended in-person at the simulation facility in compliance with Government COVID-19 guidelines.8 The remainder of learners along with senior faculty members attended online via the Zoom platform.