Simulation Interventions for the Classroom to Support the Acquisition of Interprofessional Competencies

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Education
• Interprofessional Practice

Background:

• Interprofessional collaboration (IPC) is crucial for safe and quality healthcare delivery.
• Developing interprofessional competencies is essential for effective IPC in healthcare settings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To document the development and implementation of a simulation intervention for undergraduate interprofessional education (IPE).
• To support pre-licensure learners in acquiring interprofessional competencies.

Main Methods:

• A learning activity framework comprising exposure (didactic) and immersion (simulation and debriefing) phases was developed.
• Pilot testing involved three learning activity cycles with 150 pre-licensure learners.
• Emphasis was placed on the debriefing process to achieve learning objectives.

Main Results:

• Learners acknowledged the importance of interprofessional competencies for IPC.
• Pilot tests indicated a need for improved connection between the simulation phase and clinical placement (mastery phase).

Conclusions:

• The simulation intervention shows promise for developing interprofessional competencies in pre-licensure learners.
• Further development is required to bridge simulation learning with clinical practice.
• Future steps include formative assessment tools and a comprehensive evaluation plan connecting all learning phases.