Training and assessment of procedural skills in context using an integrated procedural performance instrument (IPPI)

The use of simulation in the training and assessment of procedural skills is widely acknowledged as a powerful and necessary alternative to the traditional apprenticeship model. However advanced, simulation on its own cannot provide the necessary conditions for holistic practice. The Integrated Procedural Performance Instrument presented in this paper combines simulated patients (SPs) with inanimate models, items of medical equipment or computer generated virtual models to recreate a panel of realistic scenarios, each addressing a combination of technical and non-technical clinical challenges. The result is a safe yet authentic clinical context which can be used for training and assessment. This novel use of simulation provides a patient-centred, learner-focused approach that builds up a composite picture of technical skills, communication skills and professional behaviours across a range of challenging clinical situations.