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

Introduction Recent findings suggest that process and outcome-based efficacy beliefs are factorially distinct with differential effects for team performance. This study extends this work by examining process and outcome efficacy (TPE, TOE) of interprofessional (IP) care teams over time. Methods A within-team, repeated measures design with survey methodology was implemented in a sample of prelicensure IP care teams performing over three consecutive clinical simulation scenarios. TPE and TOE were assessed before and after each performance episode. Results Initial baseline results replicated the discriminant validity for TPE and TOE separate factors. Further findings from multilevel modelling indicated significant time effects for TPE convergence, but not TOE convergence. However, a cross-level interaction effect of ‘TOE (Start-Mean) ×Time’ strengthened TOE convergence over time. A final follow-up analysis of team agreement’s substantive impact was conducted using independent faculty-observer ratings of teams’ final simulation. Conclusion Independent sample t-tests of high/low-agreement teams indicated support for agreement’s substantive impact, such that high-agreement teams were rated as significantly better performers than low-agreement teams during the final simulation training. We discuss the substantive merit of methodological within-team agreement as an indicator of team functionality within IP and greater healthcare-simulation trainings at-large.