COPE: Confidence In Paediatric Emergencies

Dr Assim Javaid ST3 

Provider: Bristol Medical Simulation Centre

Course Length: 1 day
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Cost: £85 (Free for Peninsula and Severn Trainees)

What is it?

A one day course aimed at dealing with paediatric emergencies that can happen on the ward, in ED or on an admissions unit. It’s aimed at level 2 trainees and provides more difficult and challenging simulations than seen in other simulation courses. There’s a mix of resuscitation and communication scenarios aimed to push junior registrars out of their comfort zone and to make senior registrars think harder about their leadership styles. 

What was good about it?

​The Bristol Medical Simulation Centre, if you’ve never been there, is fantastic. There are a number of beds, made to simulate the ward, theatres and side rooms, and this, alongside an excellent range of mannequins, really help to minimise a lot of simulation artefact by making the scenarios feel that bit more real. The faculty are friendly and approachable. They also provide a really good debrief session, which I find the most useful part of simulation.

What wasn't so great?

​Bristol is a bit of a nightmare to get into! But that’s always been the case and something you’ll just need to factor in when making your way there. Other than that, the only other downside is that the vast majority of the attendees will be Severn trainees. They’ll all know each other relatively well and, unsurprisingly, will take to working together in simulations easily. If you come from outside this deanery, be ready to be the unknown factor in the group. That’s not necessarily a bad thing but it’s worth being aware of beforehand.

Is it worth going to?

​In a word, absolutely! The scenarios are challenging (I won’t say what they are as that would defeat the purpose) but in no way unfair and closely related to our practice. The focus is very much on gauging and developing how you work as a leader of a team in an emergency and this is the best course I’ve been on for developing that aspect of our professional behaviour. Though there is a cost for Welsh trainees, it’s certainly nowhere near as high as other similar courses and I think the value for money is excellent.

How do I get more information?

https://www.bmsc.co.uk/course/cope-confidence-in-paediatric-emergencies/