Impact of a student virtual interprofessional simulation

Objectives: Interprofessional education (IPE) learning opportunities are important in healthcare education to build communication, teamwork, and a positive attitude about other healthcare professions. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of an IPE virtual simulation on student attitudes in the areas of teamwork, roles and responsibilities, patient centeredness, interprofessional biases, diversity and ethics, and community centeredness. Material and Methods: Students in physician assistant studies (PAS), Nursing, Nutrition, and Social Work (SW) participated in a single IPE virtual simulation. This study was a prospective, pre-post cohort design. Students in Nursing, Nutrition, PAS, and SW completed the Interprofessional Attitude Survey as a pre-test and post-test. Student feedback forms were the secondary outcome as a qualitative measure. Repeated measures analysis of variance was conducted to evaluate the pre- and post-test statistical differences from a single IPE simulation. Results: Results showed a statistical increase in student attitudes based on the total score of pre and post survey in the area of Teamwork, Roles and Responsibilities subscale, but no difference by program type was observed. There was no statistically significant difference in student attitudes on Patient Centeredness. Interprofessional Biases, Diversity and Ethics, and Community Centeredness from the intervention of IPE simulation based on the pre and post survey. Conclusion: Regardless of discipline, the intervention of a single IPE virtual simulation led to improved student attitudes on learning the responsibilities of other healthcare professions, working together as a team, and understanding the importance of effective team and patient communication.