University News Last updated 24 July 2012
Health staff at Birmingham City University are trialling new teaching methods with the aim of improving the education of future nurses working with people with learning disabilities.
People with learning disabilities continue to struggle with poor experiences in hospital settings due to healthcare staff being unable to understand the individual’s needs. Staff at the University’s Faculty of Health, Education and Life Sciences based in Edgbaston, are researching the use of patient simulation in the classroom to broaden the level of understanding amongst their students.
Working alongside local actors, child and adult nursing students and operating department, social worker students have taken part in a number of role-play scenarios designed to illustrate real life situations they may encounter in their daily roles. The actors themselves work within the sector and have worked alongside the Learning Disability team at Birmingham City University for over four years.
Marie O’Boyle-Duggan, Senior Lecturer at the University’s Faculty of Health, Education and Life Sciences said: “Many of our students feel that they have benefited from the live simulation activities and that they have had a positive impact on the care of patients with learning disabilities when working on placements.”
Following the success of the programme the research will be highlighted at the UK Learning Disabilities Nurse Academics Conference this week on Wednesday 25 July.
The conference is open to all professionals interested in learning disability nursing and will take place at Birmingham City University’s Faculty of Health, Education and Life Sciences Campus in Edgbaston. For further information and to register please contact Janet Cobb at janet@jan-net.co.uk.