THE USE OF A TRAINING GAME FOR FAMILY PHYSICIAN STUDENTS

Introduction and Objective The CanMEDS Physician Competency Framework describes the knowledge, skills and abilities that physicians need for better patient outcomes. The objective is to stimulate the students of the final master year in family physician of the Vrije Universiteit Brussel to grow in the seven CanMEDS roles and to enhance their sense of preparedness for clinical practice, they engage in simulation-based medical education, based on the Groningen Institute Model for Management in Care Services (GIMMICS). Method Originally developed for pharmacy students, the present work reports on the use of GIMMICS for family physician students. It is a training game in which several family practices and pharmacies are simulated in a controlled academic setting. This offers students the possibility to practice clinical and practical skills, communicational skills, working in team, management of a practice and dealing with upcoming problems of any kind. Problems they might not encounter during training in family practices due to the heterogeneity inherent to these practices. Results and Conclusions The training game lasts two weeks during which the students have to install and manage their practices, organise consultations and go on home visits, participate in assignments and collaborate closely with the pharmacy students. A specific assessment model was developed. GIMMICS is a valuable linking pin between the different learning methods in medical education and clinical practice, helping students to improve themselves in the CanMEDS roles. However, simulation-based medical education is a complex intervention that needs to be planned and practiced with attention to organisational contexts.