Establishing an integrated multiprofessional skills training programme.
BACKGROUND
Opportunities to learn and practice skills are becoming less with changes in the health care environment. Responses to this have included curriculum change and the development of skills programmes. Although the skills programmes, often taught in simulated settings in skills Centres have been frequently described, such a model may not be appropriate for all Universities or have the best outcomes. Firstly access to a centre may not be available and secondly, the training may not alter students' behaviour in the workplace in terms of applying and practicing these skills.


OBJECTIVE
This paper offers tips for developing a centrally coordinated, integrated, multidisciplinary skills training programme.


METHODS
These 12 tips are based upon current literature, discussion with other skills training providers and reflection on local experiences of establishing and maintaining a skills training programme.


RESULTS
The programme, outlined here, used a multidisciplinary, multiprofessional group to design and run a skills programme, which was clearly linked back to clinical attachments, emphasising ongoing practice with feedback.


CONCLUSIONS
The twelve tips highlight the importance of broad ownership of the programme; separate funding and good evaluation are essential if the programme is to be continued in the absence of a specific Centre or a School to run it.
Carr
Sandra E
SE
Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health, University of Western Australia, Perth, Australia. Sandra.Carr@uwa.edu.au
Celenza
Antonio
A
Lake
Fiona
F
D002983:Clinical Competence; D003479:Curriculum; D004501:Education, Medical; D017408:Guidelines as Topic; D033183:Interdisciplinary Communication; D016730:Program Development / Q000379:methods*