The healthcare field is constantly evolving, and keeping up to date with new methods, processes, drugs and equipment is crucial to ensuring quality care. The SIMFOR project aims to develop the knowledge and skills of medical staff through the simulation of real-life cases, drawn from the experience of the students.
SIMFOR Project: Continuing health education through simulation
Context
While the COVID19 pandemic did not cause the collapse of the Congolese hospital system, it did highlight the highly fragmented nature of the hospital sector in Kinshasa, and the need for hospital staff to adapt quickly to exceptional situations, modify procedures and share best practices between providers and between hospitals to strengthen the resilience of the hospital system as a whole.
The pandemic has also highlighted the fragility of the bonds of trust between healthcare users and medical staff. This trust is based, in particular, on users’ perception of the procedures implemented by providers, whether highly standardized or, conversely, very close to the specific needs of each patient. The responsiveness and adaptability of medical proceduresare precisely the two elements targeted by the project to strengthen the resilience of hospital training and the patient-centered approach. At present, basic health training and continuing education in the DRC follows a similar approach to that in Belgium: theoretical training and “on-the-job” practice. With SIMFOR, practice will also take place in a secure setting where doctors and nurses can relive a difficult case and identify the necessary adjustments.
Location
Objectives
The continuous training process, through simulation, must contribute to the quality of care. It focuses on two themes:
- Neonatology
- High-risk deliveries
Activities
Based on undesirable events actually experienced by one or more of the learners, the SimLabS team will propose the development of learning scenarios that will mobilize the professional practices of each participant, as well as methodologies for analysis and self-reflexivity on the steps, gestures, transmission of information or decision that led to this undesirable event.
Impact
- 12 people from various PH-RDC hospitals are trained in simulation training methods, including scenario design.
- Staff members at PH-RDC hospitals are gradually being trained in neonatology and high-risk deliveries using the two simulation training devices available.
- Hospitals regularly evaluate processes to ensure close monitoring of adverse events and identify good practices. Hospital quality committees monitor the results and factor them into their decisions.
- A network of practitioners trained in simulation-based teaching is developing to reinforce peer-to-peer learning and extend it to other themes.
Budget
76.025€
Duration
36 mois
Contact people: Serge NGAIMA & Félix VANDERSTRICHT