An interprofessional simulation to develop communication skills in health professional students

Communication is a foundational skill which can improve patient care, yet opportunities to develop and practice are sparse in healthcare education. Chapman University School of Pharmacy conducted a study to simulate such learning opportunities to develop communication and teamwork skills in challenging situations.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of this simulation activity in increasing awareness and self-reported competence in communication and collaboration strategies.

Student pharmacists and medical residents and fellows participated in a virtual simulation in which student pharmacists were instructed to provide discharge recommendations to a physician. Through this activity, the students practiced navigating a challenging conversation with respectful communication, incorporated evidence to support recommendations, and demonstrated understanding of the health system and policies that affect patient care. Students completed pre and post surveys rating themselves on level of agreement on their ability to perform four Interprofessional Education Collaborative (IPEC) sub-competencies, two related to communication and two related to teams and teamwork. Qualitative comments were collated and thematic analysis of the students' takeaways was performed using the constant comparison method.

A total of 67 students completed the pre and post surveys. Student self-perception in their level of agreement on their ability to perform the four IPEC sub-competencies increased across all four items. Additionally, 97 % of the post survey respondents recommended this experience to future students. The thematic analysis of the students' takeaways identified four themes of communication and teamwork strategies gained from the experience.

This simulation experience shares a beneficial opportunity to teach students in an engaging method about collaborative communication skills and teamwork when navigating challenging conversations. Participation in the simulation demonstrated an increase in two communication sub-competencies and two teams and teamwork sub-competencies. Thematic analysis of the students' takeaway identified communication and teamwork strategies learned from the experience.