Mrs Lisa Terry1, Jackson Wood2, Dr Caroline Baker1, Katherine Wapling1, Jessica Gill3, Dr Ian Summers3, Dr Michelle Paton2
1Speech Pathology Department, Monash Health, Clayton, Australia, 2Physiotherapy Department, Monash Health, Clayton, Australia, 3Monash Simulation, Monash Health, Moorabbin, Australia
Biography:
Lisa Terry is a Senior Speech Pathologist with over 18 years of clinical experience with specialist knowledge in the areas of Critical Care, Cardiac Care and Altered Airway patient cohorts. She has recently embedded the Speech Pathology team into the Simulation Centre space. Lisa leads the Monash Health Cross Site Altered Airway team and has been successful in attaining two grants: the Southern Melbourne Integrated Cancer Service (SMICS) grant to develop a Specialist multimodal Speech Pathology service for Head and Neck oncology patients with an altered airway, and ‘Spread the Word’ grant to further publish the findings of this project.
Abstract:
Background:
Monash Simulation, established in 1997, was one of the first healthcare simulation centres in the Southern Hemisphere, offering a safe and supportive environment for clinicians to develop and refine skills using simulation technology. While frequently used by Medical and Nursing staff, Allied Health had not utilised the space despite the practical nature of our interventions. With many treatments holding significant clinical risk, Physiotherapy and Speech Pathology clinical leads partnered with Monash Simulation to develop a multidisciplinary tracheostomy simulation education program for clinicians.
A series of clinical case scenarios were created to simulate Physiotherapy and Speech Pathology tracheostomy assessment and management. Three sessions were implemented in 2024 with consideration of cross site staffing and skill mix. An evaluation was conducted using multidisciplinary and discipline-specific surveys before and immediately after the sessions.
Results:
Twenty four learners (12 Physiotherapists and 12 Speech Pathologists) participated alongside six facilitators from Allied Health, Medicine and Nursing disciplines. All participants engaged well in clinical scenarios and debrief discussions. Pre-post survey results showed most learners felt more confident and comfortable in managing these high-risk patients, with the training supporting skill development and maintenance. All participants also reported improved collaboration with interdisciplinary colleagues that they would translate into clinical practice.
Discussion:
Monash Simulation provides a valuable environment for increasing clinician confidence in tracheostomy management skills. Allied health has built strong relationships with the Monash Simulation team and aims to expand simulation-based education in the future.