VOL. 11 ISSUE #1
SPPGM-EWS Acting Editor: Angela Bokenfohr
Drum roll please… IT’S OFFICIAL! IT’S A GIRL! Weighing in with 24 state of the art clinical exam rooms and 8 debrief rooms, this baby is truly a sight to be seen! Nestled in the lively painted green section of Edmonton Clinic Health Academy, there are fully furnished and completely realistic patient rooms that one would also find in any hospital, simulation centers with programmable manikins and health professional skills such as simulated intravenous therapy simulators as well as a change and locker room for standardized patients! This means that there is no further SP access
Petra, Pam, and Judy standing outside the ‘brand spanking new’ office space in Edmonton Clinic Health Academy.
In this issue:
to 300 Campus Towers; should you wish to reach
picture here, 2-263 Judy Theand BIGPetra Move
anyone in the SP Program, please see their email
Training ‘n’ Technology Poll
addresses below or make an appointment to stop by ECHA and meet with them. For those who have not had the opportunity
Lock Box and Invoices The Invaluable Nature of the SP
to train in our new facility, rest assured. An open
Experience
house will be held in the New Year after the rush
Parking Updates & Timesheets
of exam season has passed. Stay tuned for further
Volunteer Brigade
details!
Pam Rock, Standardized Patient Program Director, pam.rock@ualberta.ca; Petra Duncan, Standardized Patient Educator, petra.duncan@ualberta.ca; Judy Makarowski, OSCE Coordinator, jkm9@ualberta.ca
Fall Edition, 2011
VOL. # ONE ISSUE #1
The Results Are IN! Training and Technology Poll Last issue, we asked you to cast your vote on the topic of utilizing more technology in our training sessions and the winning vote was: “I would agree that Skype is applicable for certain roles, but would like other options to remain available for training as well” (44.8%). Other options were voted for as follows: 24.1% said, “I agree with Skype, sign me up!” 24.1% said, “I would be interested in pursuing Skype as a training technology” 20.7% said, “I am not familiar with Skype, but would like to know more” 17.2% said, “I am uncomfortable with Skype and prefer to train in person” 10.3% said, “I disagree with Skype and I vote for in-person training only!” Other comments made by our voters raised very valid points such as the fact that while Skype is handy, it may not be “issue-free” or secure enough to reliably use for training sessions and that while Skype might not be ideal form of technology, SPPGM needs to find a better way to have training sessions to best utilize both SP and trainer time. The SPPGM committee has voiced these results and will continue to search for training alternatives that both use technology efficiently and securely as we continue to grow and expand our SP program
SPPGM LOCK BOX HAS ARRIVED!
The SPPGM Lock Box
In follow up to the email message you received about no longer being able to deliver your completed invoices to 300 Campus Towers, the SPPGM Lock Box is here! Located outside the office space at 2-261, simply slip your signed invoice through the slot on the top! We suggest sealing your invoice in an envelope, but if you forget to do so, never fear! There are envelopes located behind the mail slot. The Lock Box will be checked regularly and your invoice will be processed! We are still in the process of arranging a fax number in which invoices may be faxed to and will inform all SPs when this is up and running as another option for submitting your invoice for payment.
Fall, 2011
VOL. # ONE ISSUE #1
Standardized Patient Experience: Invaluable! In the many years of involvement with the SP program, little did we know that the knowledge and experiences that we obtained from the different scenarios would suddenly come into play in our own life. In January, Gerald and I were walking in a marked cross-walk when suddenly a vehicle appeared out of nowhere. Gerald took the full impact of the car. As a result, he sustained many serious injuries and our life's journey was changed in an instant. The first month after being released from hospital was solely focused on helping Gerald get in and out of bed. It was in these moments where we first realized just how much we had learned as “SPs”. Knowing just how to help him sit up in bed and then stand, without hurting myself, while Gerald knowing how to position his body to accomplish this task, was invaluable. Many of skills needed, he learned through the SP program, such as how to breathe properly, positioning his limbs for comfort and exercising; each came into play on a new level. Working through various roles as a Standardized Patient and the opportunity to engage course instructors allowed for the deep-seeded confidence needed to engage various facets of the healing process including the months of physiotherapy. The SP Program also helped from an emotional aspect; one of the scenarios Gerald was trained to portray was a scenario in which the patient‟s surgery was unsuccessful. When this became a reality for Gerald in his journey, he felt more comfortable dealing with the news. Because of the enormity of damage done to his entire body, this has been a very physical and emotional roller coaster ride for both him and myself. I have been very grateful not only for the experiences of playing out the SP scenarios, but for all of the knowledge I have gained through this program. I feel I have been able to help Gerald in so many ways because of my SP experience. We have come so far in this journey but still have a long way to go – one step at a time. We would like to thank all personnel involved with the SP program – little do you know how much we have learned from you and how the comfort of this knowledge alone has helped get us through some of the most challenging times. Gerald and Judy Mason
The Masons agreed to write a brief article reflecting on how the Standardized Patient experience has impacted their lives outside of the program in a meaningful way; if you have a reflection that you wish to share about how the SP program has impacted you, please email Angela at sppgm@ualberta.ca.
Fall, 2011
VOL. # ONE ISSUE #1
HEAR YE, HEAR YE, HEAR YE! Are you someone who likes to volunteer? The program is currently recruiting interested individuals who would be willing to volunteer their time to help out with the „extra-curricular‟ activities of the program. Volunteers are currently needed for the following: * SPPGM-EWS volunteers with a knack for writing short articles, planning newsletters, and has an ounce of creative juice * Event Planners who might be interested in helping to organize an Open House/SP Appreciation night for our Standardized Patients * Requisites to volunteer: a super-positive attitude, willingness to donate some degree of time (ranging from 5minutes to as much as you‟d like), and the ability to work well with others. Please contact Angela at sppgm@ualberta.ca to sign up for this exciting opportunity!
What is the SPPGM Committee and what exactly do
Timesheet and Parking Updates!! As you may have noticed, there are new SP invoices being emailed to you for the roles in which you are booked to portray. There are a few exciting changes to point out on these timesheets. * There is now a training column for you to check if that line on your invoice is indicating a training session rather than a simulation. This is to ensure that SPs are getting paid for the training they receive for the role * Parking INCREASE! The parking reimbursement paid to SPs has gone up to reflect the high cost of parking in Edmonton, where the majority of the roles take place. For roles under four hours in duration, SPs will receive $7 and for roles four hours or greater, you will receive $12! Just a reminder that the office will calculate the total of roles when your invoice amount is calculated so all you need to worry about is filling in the top portion of your invoice and submitting it for payment!
they do? The SPPGM Committee is comprised of eight SPs, one SP Educator and the SP Director. The role of the committee is to meet bi-annually do discuss pertinent SP concerns and brainstorm implemental solutions. The last meeting took place in May and items on the agenda included an update on the new building, an SP Appreciation event, alternative training methods, parking costs incurred by SPs and managing exam day breaks. Should you have any questions or want to voice your concerns, please feel free to approach or contact one of the committee members listed below. The next meeting will take place mid-fall. * Darrel Stephenson * Norma Harper * David Cairns * Amy DeFelice
* Brian Copping * Jennifer Peebles * Francois Brochu * Angela Bokenfohr
SPPGM-EWS located in 2-261 Edmonton Clinic Health Academy, 11405 – 87 Avenue NW, Edmonton, AB; T6G 1C9