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Abstract Background Simulation has been commonly utilised in medical education as both a learning and assessment tool. Its utilisation in stroke medicine helps to facilitate learning in acute pathways, interprofessional communication, communication with family and patient and the application of evidence-based care. Methods The programme was initially developed as part of a pilot with University College Cork. The “FAST Call” scenario was seen as an opportunity to test the acute pathway. A simulation coordinator led out on the technical facilitation of simulation. Scenarios were developed to enable education in different facets of stroke. Key learning areas identified were: Quarterly feedback from all medical trainees in the department allowed qualitative assessment of the programme. Results Trainee feedback yielded positive results with all NCHDs reporting they found the programme beneficial from a clinical skills perspective. It improved confidence in dealing with acute stroke calls and provided a psychologically safe learning environment. The feedback also identified potential barriers and delays in the stroke pathway and allowed the utilisation of simulation as an educational opportunity. Conclusion The simulation programme has provided trainees within a stroke department with a psychologically safe learning environment. This has allowed the department to identify areas of physical or technical constraint when delivering care to stroke patients. The department has also gained the opportunity to discuss evidence-based medicine in a non-didactic format, along with providing NCHDs with the opportunity to manage scenarios in a safe manner. Simulation programmes and inclusion of this style of training as a core-component of training can be spread to other components of the geriatric medicine curriculum.
McCarthy et al. (Sun,) studied this question.