An interprofessional communication training using simulation to enhance safe care for a deteriorating patient

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Healthcare Simulation
• Interprofessional Education

Background:

• Effective communication and teamwork between doctors and nurses are vital for patient safety.
• Simulation and interprofessional learning are key strategies to enhance collaboration among healthcare professionals.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop, implement, and evaluate a simulation-based interprofessional educational (Sim-IPE) program.
• To improve communication skills of medical and nursing students caring for deteriorating patients using a presage-process-product (3P) model.

Main Methods:

• A 3-hour interprofessional learning program using full-scale simulation and TeamSTEPPS strategies.
• 127 medical and nursing students participated in scenarios involving deteriorating patients.
• Pre- and post-tests assessed self-confidence and perception; satisfaction questionnaires were administered.

Main Results:

• Significant improvements in self-confidence and perception of interprofessional learning were observed in both medical and nursing students.
• No significant differences in improvement were found between the two groups.
• Participants reported high satisfaction with the simulation learning experience.

Conclusions:

• The Sim-IPE program effectively prepared students for interprofessional communication in managing deteriorating patients.
• The program enhanced students' perceptions of interprofessional learning.
• Pre-registration interprofessional education can foster comprehensive team learning at the professional level.