Learning in Challenge: A DCP Networking Event
- Teaching and learning
The world of Health & Social Care is one striving to provide quality services and for continuous improvement whilst managing some of the fastest changes in treatments and technologies. Our aim is to ensure that there are ongoing opportunities to learn, both from these changes and from when things go wrong.
In spite of this long held goal, the number of Public Enquiries, SAIs and unhappiness with HSC provision continues to grow and the themes raised at times feel repetitive, frustrating both to those providing services and to those accessing them. Staff morale has repeatedly over recent years been demonstrated to be low, staff mental health issues are a leading cause of absenteeism, and an ever- shrinking workforce is leading to crisis across many areas of care.
The need to ensure safe spaces for learning and to ensure actions are implemented is crucial both for patient wellbeing and staff wellbeing. The literature evidence base as to the connection between the two is unequivocal.
This is hoped to be an opportunity to discuss the evidence in neuroscience and psychology in supporting both individuals and the design of systems of learning in order to achieve best results, and to consider the possible impacts and benefits of new technologies in supporting learning.
Location
This event will be held in-person at:
- Crumlin Road Gaol
533 Crumlin Road
Belfast
BT14 6ST
How to attend
This event is free at the point of attendance but is subsidised by the Division of Clinical Psychology.
We encourage you to register for the event ASAP to secure your place.
In addition, we would sincerely ask that if you cannot attend you cancel your attendance in a timely manner so as to reduce wastage in payment for refreshments and to allow others to make use of the place.
If there are any problems with registration, please contact [email protected].
We look forward to having you join us on the day.
Speakers
- Professor Ian Robertson, Trinity College Dublin, Founding Director of the Global Brain Health Institute
- Mr Peter McBride, Independent Consultant to Department of Health
- Dr Gareth Drake, Clinical Psychologist, Great Ormond Street Clinical Simulation Centre
Programme
08.30: Registration
09:30: Welcome and Introduction - Dr Sarah Meekin NIDCP CHAIR
Session 1: Psychology of Learning
"Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it" G Santayana
09.45: "Supporting Learning Environments – Using our Heads" - Professor Ian Robertson
Professor Ian Robertson (ianrobertson.org) of Trinity College Dublin is Founding Director of the Global Brain Health Institute (gbhi.org), a leading researcher globally on the brain's attention systems and an author of several multiply-translated popular science books on the brain, most recently "How Confidence Works" (Penguin). He is a Clinical Psychologist and Neuroscientist.
He will deliver a keynote looking at how our knowledge of Neuroscience and the Psychology of Learning should influence our learning environments and strategic policies for Learning and QI within health & social care as well as support individual learning.
11.15: Coffee
11.45: "Creating environments for Candour" - Mr Peter McBride
Mr Peter McBride is an Independent Consultant working with the DOH on the development of a "Being Open" Framework for HSCNI.
12.30: Opportunity for Q&A and round table conversations
13.00: Lunch
Session 2: New Ways of Learning and Psychological Applications
"AI won't replace humans but humans using AI will"
14.00: Psychology within a Clinical Simulation Centre: Meeting staff where they are: using psychotherapeutic concepts in paediatric conversation-based simulation - Dr Gareth Drake
Dr Drake is a Clinical Psychologist. He has previously worked alongside medical and nursing staff in the management of Long Term Conditions and Medically Unexplained Symptoms. He is interested in the relationship between the mind and the body and the ways in which staff can be supported with the relational aspects of frontline work in complex settings. Since joining the Simulation Team in GOSH he has developed a particular interest in the parallels between providing a containing therapeutic environment and providing a safe and reflective learning environment.
14.45: Context and Clinical Usage of AI (TBA) - Prof Raymond Bond/Prof Maurice Mulvenna/Dr Colin Gorman (TBC)
15.15: Virtual Reality: Fad or the Future? Exploring the use of VR Headsets in a Paediatric Psychology Services - Dr Aoife Malone
Dr Aoife Malone is a Clinical Psychologist working within a paediatric health psychology team based in the Royal Belfast Hospital for Sick Children. This presentation will explore the use of VR headsets with children and young people in this setting. A growing evidence base highlights the efficacy and effectiveness of VR to decrease pain and anxiety and enhance psychological wellbeing in this population. This is achieved through the use of highly immersive, virtual environments which work to reduce the brain's ability to process pain and anxiety through increased cognitive load. Insights from clinical practice, including the opportunities and challenges presented by VR within a paediatric psychology setting will be explored.
15.30: Skill Development During Training: Interdisciplinary Simulation - Dr D McCormack/ Dr P Murphy/Dr Jenny Cross
This presentation highlights an innovative approach to clinical psychology training, developed by simulation expert Dr Paul Murphy and clinical psychology academics Dr David McCormack and Dr Jenny Cross. The interdisciplinary simulation model pairs clinical psychology trainees with drama students, creating a dynamic, role-play-based learning environment. This collaboration allows trainees to practice and refine essential clinical skills in a controlled, supportive setting, while drama students hone their performance skills. Sessions are recorded, allowing for self-review and reflection on clinical skill development for the psychology trainees and simulation acting performance for the drama students
16.00: Summary and close - Dr Sarah Meekin