Evaluation of distance facilitation and technology in an interprofessional simulation exercise

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Health Professions Education
• Simulation in Healthcare

Background:

• Interprofessional education (IPE) is crucial for healthcare training.
• Distance learning technologies present unique challenges and opportunities in IPE.
• Facilitating IPE simulations remotely requires effective use of technology.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of distance technology for facilitating interprofessional education (IPE) simulations.
• To assess the impact of technology on the simulation experience for facilitators and students in IPE.
• To compare student and facilitator satisfaction with distance technology in IPE.

Main Methods:

• Four disciplines participated in a geriatric patient discharge simulation.
• Facilitators and students completed satisfaction surveys on simulation performance and technology use.
• Qualitative analysis examined technology-related trends over five semesters.

Main Results:

• No significant differences in simulation performance between students and facilitators.
• Students reported significantly lower satisfaction with distance technology than facilitators.
• Pharmacy distance students showed lower satisfaction with the simulation and technology.
• Qualitative data indicated improvements in technology clarity for the distance group.

Conclusions:

• IPE simulation exercises can be effectively facilitated using distance technology.
• While simulation effectiveness is maintained, student satisfaction with distance technology is a concern.
• Addressing technology-specific issues is important for optimizing remote IPE experiences.