PennDemic Simulation Framework: An Innovative Approach to Increase Student Interest and Confidence in Disasters...

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Education
• Emergency Management

Background:

• Interprofessional education (IPE) is crucial for effective disaster preparedness.
• Existing IPE models often lack broad disciplinary representation.
• Simulations offer a practical approach to training for disaster scenarios.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce and evaluate a novel interprofessional education framework, PennDemic.
• To assess the impact of the framework on student interest, confidence, and group behaviors in disaster simulations.
• To emphasize the importance of diverse disciplinary participation in disaster response.

Main Methods:

• Development of the PennDemic framework by an interdisciplinary group from two Philadelphia higher-education institutions.
• Application of the framework in two disaster simulations (disease outbreak and natural disaster) in 2018 and 2020.
• Inclusion of students from a wide range of disciplines, not limited to healthcare.
• Pre- and post-simulation surveys with Likert scale and free-response items to measure student outcomes.
• Comparison of interdisciplinary teams versus discipline-specific groups.

Main Results:

• Statistically significant increases in student interest and confidence post-simulation.
• Higher scores for positive group behaviors in interdisciplinary teams compared to discipline groups.
• Student recognition of the value of broad disciplinary representation for disaster preparedness.

Conclusions:

• The PennDemic framework effectively enhances student interest and confidence in disaster preparedness and response.
• Interdisciplinary teamwork, fostered by the PennDemic framework, leads to improved group dynamics.
• The framework provides a valuable model for developing disaster simulations that promote IPE and teamwork.