Using Interprofessional Simulation with Telehealth to Enhance Teamwork and Communication in Home Care

Area of Science:

• Healthcare education
• Interprofessional collaboration
• Patient safety

Background:

• Interpersonal communication and teamwork are vital for patient safety.
• Simulation-based learning enhances deliberate practice and skill acquisition.
• Limited evidence exists on optimal delivery methods for simulation-based interprofessional education (Sim-IPE).

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the effectiveness of Sim-IPE using a home-based patient assessment and intervention.
• To enhance interprofessional team communication and performance among undergraduate nursing, nurse practitioner, and physical therapy students.
• To evaluate teamwork and communication following virtual/web-based deliberate practice and face-to-face Sim-IPE with telehealth.

Main Methods:

• A mixed-methods, observational research design was employed.
• Two stages: virtual web-based interprofessional education followed by a face-to-face Sim-IPE.
• Utilized a standardized patient in a simulated home-based setting with 29 student teams.

Main Results:

• Teams achieved very high scores on an interprofessional communication and teamwork scale.
• Students reported that prebriefing, scenario, and debriefing significantly aided their learning.
• Students valued telehealth exposure and interprofessional learning experiences.

Conclusions:

• Virtual and face-to-face Sim-IPE is effective in enhancing interprofessional communication and teamwork.
• This educational model improves student preparedness for collaborative patient care.
• Exposure to telehealth within Sim-IPE is beneficial for health profession students.