The transition from medical school to the hospital working environment is daunting for medical graduates, as most realize that there is a gap between their theoretical knowledge and its practical application. Adding to their anxiety is the expectation of excellence in both knowledge and clinical skills of a healthcare professional from the very beginning of their training as they have to deal with real patients and real lives. Hospital set-ups are complex training environments where patients are subjected to potential harm at the hands of novice trainees.
Therefore, in order to ensure patient safety, training of the healthcare providers before entering into the hospital, in a simulated environment is imperative, which is a safe and a forgiving environment where they learn from their errors without the fear of harming the patients. Worldwide, simulation-based boot camps, serve as a bridge between the medical school and the clinical setting and equip the newly hired trainees with essential foundation knowledge, technical skills and effective communication. Acknowledging this fact Dr Syed Arish Haider, an AKU graduate joining AKU as an Intern, said: "I became a doctor three weeks ago and I had no idea what I was getting into. I was terrified of having people's lives in my hands but after completing this Boot Camp I feel more confident when I head into the ward tomorrow".
The concept of Boot Camp is new in Pakistan and has been introduced for the first time at The Aga Khan University Hospital. Centre for Innovation in Medical Education with Postgraduate Medical Education, organised the Boot Camp for new interns and residents hired at AKUH for the year 2019. It was a full 4 days long programme for around 140 participants, facilitated by senior residents, fellows and SPIE volunteers. It was aimed at providing the participants with experiential learning opportunity using simulation-based education and laying a solid foundation in essential clinical skills for the unique context of AKUH. The Boot Camp was well received and appreciated by the participants and has boosted their self-confidence. We anticipate that this will eventually lead to improved patient safety and a smooth transition of the interns and residents in the hospital environment of AKUH. Dr Bushra Mufti, participant of Boot Camp, a graduate of Dow Medical College and joining AKU as a Paediatrics Resident, said: "Boot Camp provided us the platform to polish our already learnt skills and attain confidence in our hospital management. Thank you AKU for giving us a start with such great academics! We loved Boot Camp!".
Written by,
Dr. Mehak Rajani, Teaching Associate, CIME
The transition from medical school to the hospital working environment is daunting for medical graduates, as most realize that there is a gap between their theoretical knowledge and its practical application. Adding to their anxiety is the expectation of excellence in both knowledge and clinical skills of a healthcare professional from the very beginning of their training as they have to deal with real patients and real lives. Hospital set-ups are complex training environments where patients are subjected to potential harm at the hands of novice trainees.
Therefore, in order to ensure patient safety, training of the healthcare providers before entering into the hospital, in a simulated environment is imperative, which is a safe and a forgiving environment where they learn from their errors without the fear of harming the patients. Worldwide, simulation-based boot camps, serve as a bridge between the medical school and the clinical setting and equip the newly hired trainees with essential foundation knowledge, technical skills and effective communication. Acknowledging this fact Dr Syed Arish Haider, an AKU graduate joining AKU as an Intern, said: "I became a doctor three weeks ago and I had no idea what I was getting into. I was terrified of having people's lives in my hands but after completing this Boot Camp I feel more confident when I head into the ward tomorrow".
The concept of Boot Camp is new in Pakistan and has been introduced for the first time at The Aga Khan University Hospital. Centre for Innovation in Medical Education with Postgraduate Medical Education, organised the Boot Camp for new interns and residents hired at AKUH for the year 2019. It was a full 4 days long programme for around 140 participants, facilitated by senior residents, fellows and SPIE volunteers. It was aimed at providing the participants with experiential learning opportunity using simulation-based education and laying a solid foundation in essential clinical skills for the unique context of AKUH. The Boot Camp was well received and appreciated by the participants and has boosted their self-confidence. We anticipate that this will eventually lead to improved patient safety and a smooth transition of the interns and residents in the hospital environment of AKUH. Dr Bushra Mufti, participant of Boot Camp, a graduate of Dow Medical College and joining AKU as a Paediatrics Resident, said: "Boot Camp provided us the platform to polish our already learnt skills and attain confidence in our hospital management. Thank you AKU for giving us a start with such great academics! We loved Boot Camp!".
Written by,
Dr. Mehak Rajani, Teaching Associate, CIME