Learning together: Using simulations to develop nursing and medical student collaboration

Collaborative interdisciplinary learning is a core educational requirement cited by the Institute of Medicine Health Professions Education Report (2003). This descriptive study supports the Nursing Education Simulation Framework for designing simulations used as an interdisciplinary teaching strategy in health professions curricula. The purpose of this study was to investigate the use of the framework for the collaborative medical and nursing management of a surgical patient with complications. Simulation design features, student satisfaction, and self-confidence were measured. Results indicate both medical and nursing student groups'perceptions of the design features of the collaborative simulation were positive. Feedback and guided reflection were identified by both student groups as important simulation design features. Data analyzed from the Collaboration Scale suggest that designing simulations that place medical and nursing students together is beneficial for both the medical students and the nursing students.