SICKO. Development of a Multi-Disciplinary Training-Concept for Paediatric Oncology

Abstract

Treating children with cancer requires multiple different skills. For the healthcare personnel (HCP) in Germany the practice of ongoing training to improve professional skills is almost non-existent. Therefore, we developed a programme called 'SICKO' to support HCPs skills and attitudes by means of a multidisciplinary workshop. Following a qualitative analysis, we then designed a modular (3 day) workshop. During day one (8 h) participants learn practical skills, the fundamentals of chemotherapy, and effective communication skills. Workshop day 2 (8 h) includes education regarding the complications of cancer therapy (e. g. tumour-lysis syndrome, delayed methotrexate excretion), and their management. Topics during day 3 (8 h) include 'breaking bad news', conflict management in the team, infusion-related complications and 'crew resource management' (CRM). 43 nurses and 33 physicians participated between 2013 and 2015. All participants highly recommend the workshop. Participants felt that knowledge increased significantly after workshops and were more confident regarding challenging communications. Although long-term effects have not yet been evaluated, 'SICKO' offers the opportunity for HCP to train and experience simulated day-to-day challenges in the field of paediatric oncology.

Committed Lone Fighters And Group Experiences: An International Survey On Pediatric Hematology And Oncology Training In German-Speaking Countries

“…One center has a cross-border cooperation with a clinic in a neighbor country, offering international online sessions and seminars together. For interprofessional education, one university hospital has initiated courses covering security on pediatric oncology (SICKO Course, https://www.sicko-mhh.de/) [3]. The educational team visits other centers and trains teams under local con- ditions.…”

“…It remains an unanswered question why these noble efforts often remain a local phenomenon, and neither teacher nor residents in training are connected to each other, which is in clear contrast to the intensive networking in pediatric oncology research and clinics. Only two evaluations of these concepts have been published [3,8]. Here we see a strong need for further research and a more powerful network of teachers.…”

“…Other authors have described the use of social media as a teaching tool before, but not in this intensity, intention and not in pediatric oncology 6 7 . “SICKO” is a training course for pediatric oncology teams regarding emergency management and hands-on skills in a skills lab or home setting of the trained group 3 . A similar concept has been developed to teach residents in pediatric oncology medical skills in fever/neutropenia, diagnosis of leukemia, end-of-life care discussions, management of tumor-lysis syndrome and mediastinal masses 8 .…”

Interprofessionelles Team-Training für Pflegeauszubildende und Medizinstudierende in der Pädiatrie: analoge und digitale Formate im Vergleich

“…Darüber hinaus werden durch "Train-the-Trainer" Workshops ehemalige Teilnehmende selbst zu Trainern für die eigene Klinik ausgebildet. Besseres Verständnis der verschiedenen Bedarfe im interprofessionellen Behandlungsteam fördert die Professionalisierung der Berufsgruppen und somit auch die Sicherheit der Patient:innen [2].…”