SFEBES2022 Poster Presentations Metabolism, Obesity and Diabetes (96 abstracts)
1College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom; 2Medical University of Plovdiv, Plovdiv, Bulgaria; 3Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, London, United Kingdom; 4Dayanand Medical College and Hospital, Punjab, India; 5Royal Glamorgan Hospital, Cwm Taf Morgannwg University Health Board, Rhondda Cynon Taff, United Kingdom; 6School of Medicine, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom; 7Georgian-American Family Medicine Clinic Medical House, Tbilisi, Georgia; 8Institute of Metabolism and Systems Research, College of Medical and Dental Sciences, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
Introduction: Simulation via Instant Messaging -Birmingham Advance (SIMBA) is a virtual platform which simulates anonymised, real-life clinical cases to train healthcare professionals. Participants competence is assessed using an adapted version of the global rating scale (GRS) commonly used in medical schools.
Aims: To compare GRS scores of participants according to country of residence and domains assessed as part of simulation.
Methods: Endocrine sessions conducted from July 2020 to October 2021 were considered. Participants performance was scored from 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent) according to various domains namely, history-taking, physical examination, investigations, result interpretation, clinical judgment and management. Performance was also grouped according to participants country of residence into high-income countries (HIC) and low- and middle- income countries (LMICs) based on the 2022 World Bank report. Difference in performance was compared using the Chi-square test.
Results: 6 SIMBA sessions (thyroid, pituitary, diabetes, metabolic bone, gonadal and diabetic microvascular complications) with a total of 293 participants are included in the analysis. 91 (31%) participants were from LMICs. Median (IQR) GRS scores for the domains assessed are as follows: history-taking 4.0 (3.0-5.0), physical examination 4.0 (3.0 - 4.6), investigations requested 3.3 (3.0 - 4.0), result interpretation 2.6 (1.6 - 3.3), clinical judgment 3.3 (2.6 - 4.0) and management 2.6 (2.0 - 3.3). On comparing HICs and LMICs, scores were similar for history-taking (HIC 3.81, LMIC 3.79; P=0.05), physical examination (HIC 3.67, LMIC 3.68; P=0.19), investigations requested (HIC 3.35, LMIC 3.33; P=0.27) and result interpretation (HIC 2.63, LMIC 2.61; P=0.74). HICs scored higher for clinical judgment (HIC 3.23, LMIC 3.18; P=0.008) and management (HIC 2.66, LMIC 6.42; P=0.001).
Conclusion: In general, SIMBA participants scored lower for result interpretation, clinical judgment and management. Scores were particularly low among participants from LMICs. This highlights the need for cost-effective and more accessible training programmes for clinicians.