International Journal of Healthcare Simulation

Background and aim:

Transitions from CAMHS services to adult mental health care present a challenge to patients, carers, and professionals alike and are often managed poorly by services, leading to avoidable anxiety and adverse experiences for service users [1]. For patients with autism, transitions can be extremely distressing and require careful consideration and planning to ensure continuity of care. There is a lack of clarity for professionals and services users about what resources are available and appropriate for people with autism. This course is designed to provide professionals working in both CAMHS and adult mental health with a better understanding of autism and introduce strategies to improve the management of transitions and care of individuals with autism.

Methods:

Maudsley Learning, in collaboration with the ESTIA Centre, offered an online simulation training program on two occasions. The course aimed to provide participants with a clinical understanding of autism and autistic persons’ lived experiences, to equip participants with person-centred strategies to support individuals with autism, address the challenges faced by autistic individuals during child-to-adult transitions, and implement strategies to improve the care of individuals with autism who have co-morbid mental and physical illnesses.

The training began with group icebreakers and a didactic introduction to simulation training to establish psychological safety followed by five scenarios covering different aspects of ASD and the challenges faced by individuals with ASD during transition. To add higher fidelity and better learning experience, we involved actors with autism and intellectual disability. The Maudsley debrief model was used to provide constructive feedback to participants on their contributions and facilitate positive learning experiences.

Participants completed a questionnaire before and after the course assessing their confidence in skills related to the course. They also provided qualitative feedback on their experience and their willingness to apply their learning.

Results:

Paired samples t-tests did not find a significant difference in scores for course-specific questions between pre-course (M =16.75 SD = 2.50) and post-course (M = 20.25, SD =.50), t(2.64)=3 p >.0.05, 95% CI [-7.70,.70]. 100% of the participants reported that they would recommend the course.

Conclusion:

This course was co-produced and involved actors with autism and intellectual disability for better learning. The score improved slightly, but not significantly due to a small number of participants. All participants found the course helpful for their clinical practice and would recommend it. The course is best conducted in-person for optimal learning experiences.

Ethics statement:

Authors confirm that all relevant ethical standards for research conduct and dissemination have been met. The submitting author confirms that relevant ethical approval was granted, if applicable.