Improving interprofessional collaboration in pain clinics through simulation: a longitudinal Readiness for...

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Quality Improvement
• Pain Management

Background:

• Interprofessional collaboration (IPC) is crucial for safe patient care in outpatient pain clinics.
• IPC in pain medicine is understudied, with limited longitudinal data on readiness.
• The Readiness for Interprofessional Learning Scale (RIPLS) has not been previously used longitudinally in this setting.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate and enhance interprofessional learning readiness among outpatient pain clinic staff.
• To assess changes in readiness over a 6-month period following an intervention.
• To explore staff perceptions of simulation-based training's impact on collaboration.

Main Methods:

• A quality improvement project conducted in an academic outpatient pain clinic (Oct 2021-Apr 2022).
• Administered the RIPLS survey to 15 clinical staff at baseline and 6 months post-intervention.
• Intervention included didactic sessions and simulation of acute complications in interventional pain procedures.

Main Results:

• High baseline RIPLS scores were reported by both physician and non-physician groups.
• No statistically significant changes in RIPLS scores were observed over 6 months.
• Qualitative feedback indicated positive attitudes towards collaboration and the value of simulation for team roles, communication, and crisis management.

Conclusions:

• Simulation-based training can effectively maintain high levels of interprofessional readiness in outpatient pain clinics.
• This approach supports sustained collaborative behaviors essential for patient safety and effective teamwork.
• Future research should explore interventions in lower-readiness clinics and longer follow-up periods.