Interprofessional simulation training's impact on process and outcome team efficacy beliefs over time

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Team Dynamics
• Interprofessional Education
• Team Performance Measurement

Background:

• Process efficacy and outcome efficacy are distinct beliefs influencing team performance.
• Interprofessional (IP) care teams require effective collaboration for optimal patient outcomes.
• Understanding the temporal dynamics of team efficacy is crucial for improving IP training.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the longitudinal changes in process efficacy (TPE) and outcome efficacy (TOE) within IP care teams.
• To investigate the impact of team agreement on the convergence of TPE and TOE over time.
• To assess the relationship between team agreement and objective performance ratings in simulated healthcare scenarios.

Main Methods:

• A within-team, repeated measures design using survey methodology with prelicensure IP care teams.
• Team process efficacy (TPE) and team outcome efficacy (TOE) were assessed before and after three consecutive clinical simulation scenarios.
• Multilevel modeling and independent faculty-observer ratings were used to analyze efficacy convergence and performance.

Main Results:

• Discriminant validity of TPE and TOE was confirmed.
• Significant time effects indicated TPE convergence, but not TOE convergence on its own.
• A cross-level interaction showed that TOE convergence was strengthened over time by initial team agreement.

Conclusions:

• Team process efficacy naturally converges over time in IP teams.
• Team outcome efficacy convergence is enhanced by initial team agreement, highlighting its importance.
• High team agreement is associated with significantly better performance in simulated IP care settings, underscoring its value in training.