Attitude and perception of medical and nursing undergraduates and faculty towards simulation-enhanced interprofessional education at an institute in India

Background The need for interprofessional education (IPE) has been recognized on the basis of compromised patient care due to ineffective communication and teamwork among healthcare providers. Using Simulation to enhance IPE has been advocated to achieve the competencies required for effective interprofessional collaborative practice. However, the implementation of this powerful tool and its integration into Indian medical education are a relatively recent development, gradually gaining momentum in recent years. Purpose This study was undertaken to assess the attitudes and perceptions of a group of Indian medical and nursing undergraduates and faculty towards simulation-enhanced interprofessional education (Sim-IPE) before introducing this module at the institute. Methods A descriptive correlational design was conducted using the KidSIMTM ATTITUDES scale on a convenient sample of 82 students and faculty of medical and nursing colleges. Results The total scores for the 30-item questionnaire revealed an overall positive attitude towards IPE and Simulation as a learning modality. Analysis of variance tests revealed lesser scores for students when compared to faculty. Conclusions A positive attitude towards Sim-IPE by students and faculty is promising, and it is the first step towards integrating Sim-IPE into the undergraduate curriculum in India.