A Method to Implement Interprofessional Simulations into Established Curriculum: Process and Survey of Student...

Interprofessional education (IPE) among healthcare students of different programs provides a foundation for learning how to work effectively as a team. Combining IPE and simulation gives students the chance to interact with each other while caring for a patient in a safe setting. Adding IPE to established curriculum for healthcare disciplines poses significant challenges: synchronizing student schedules, low student and faculty buy-in, lack of administrative support, outdated equipment and technology, and inadequate space. This paper describes a process of incorporating IPE simulations into established curricula for nursing, radiologic science, and respiratory care students. Following the simulations, students (n=98) were asked to respond to their experience via survey questionnaire. The results suggested that IPE simulation activities were effective and enjoyable learning opportunities that meet the IPE core competencies of improving teamwork, communication, mutual respect of values and ethics, and learning of others' roles and responsibilities. In conclusion, when a structured framework for IPE is lacking, it still appears to be a meaningful learning activity and worth the efforts of interdisciplinary faculty.