Fostering collaborative practice through interprofessional simulation for occupational therapy, physiotherapy,...

Area of Science:

• Health Professions Education
• Interprofessional Education
• Simulation-Based Learning

Background:

• Effective interprofessional collaborative practice (IPCP) requires strong communication and conflict resolution skills.
• Simulation offers a valuable platform for developing these essential competencies in a controlled environment.
• Existing literature highlights the need for diverse health professions in simulation to mirror real-world healthcare delivery.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the impact of interprofessional simulation on occupational therapy, physiotherapy, dietetics, and nursing students' collaboration competencies.
• To assess improvements in collaborative communication and conflict resolution skills during daily healthcare interactions.
• To determine the influence of simulation on students' intention for IPCP during clinical placements.

Main Methods:

• A pre-test post-test design was employed with a single cohort of students.
• Interprofessional simulations were designed to include potential conflicts and provide explicit coaching on communication and conflict resolution.
• Validated surveys (SPICE-R, ICCAS) and an open-ended question assessed changes in competencies and future practice intentions.

Main Results:

• Significant improvements in overall IPCP competencies were observed across all participating professions post-simulation.
• 98% of students showed increased scores on the ICCAS, and 71% on the SPICE-R, indicating enhanced collaborative abilities.
• Qualitative data revealed students' increased intention to lead and engage in IPCP during clinical placements.

Conclusions:

• Interprofessional simulation effectively enhances students' collaborative communication and conflict resolution skills.
• Simulation experiences positively influence students' confidence and willingness to engage in IPCP in practice settings.
• This approach prepares future healthcare professionals for effective teamwork and patient-centered care.