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

Area of Science:

• Health Professions Education
• Interdisciplinary Learning
• Medical Simulation

Background:

• Collaborative interdisciplinary learning is essential in health professions education, as highlighted by the Institute of Medicine.
• The Nursing Education Simulation Framework provides a model for interdisciplinary teaching strategies.
• Effective simulation design is crucial for interprofessional education.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the Nursing Education Simulation Framework for collaborative medical and nursing patient management.
• To investigate the impact of interdisciplinary simulations on student satisfaction and self-confidence.
• To assess the collaborative learning experience between medical and nursing students.

Main Methods:

• A descriptive study design was employed.
• Simulations were designed using the Nursing Education Simulation Framework.
• Medical and nursing students participated in a collaborative surgical patient management scenario.
• Data collected included perceptions of simulation design, student satisfaction, and self-confidence using the Collaboration Scale.

Main Results:

• Both medical and nursing students reported positive perceptions of the collaborative simulation's design features.
• Feedback and guided reflection were identified as critical components by both student groups.
• The study indicated that joint medical and nursing student simulations are advantageous for both disciplines.

Conclusions:

• The Nursing Education Simulation Framework effectively supports interdisciplinary simulation design in health professions curricula.
• Collaborative simulations enhance student satisfaction and self-confidence in managing complex patient cases.
• Interprofessional education through simulation fosters beneficial collaborative skills for future healthcare professionals.