Utilizing simulation-enhanced interprofessional education to identify differences in healthcare students' collaborative practice behaviors: A mixed method study

Background

Teaching collaborative practice behaviors (CPBs) to interprofessional healthcare students could improve healthcare for underserved populations.

Objective

This study explained the impact of Simulation Enhanced Interprofessional Education (SIM-IPE) on healthcare students' self-reported CPBs and their perceptions of utilizing CPBs when caring for underserved populations, as well as the differences among professions within interprofessional teams.

Design

Mixed methods explanatory design.

Participants and setting

Sixty-Eight doctorate of nurse practitioner, dental and pharmacy students from a large research-intensive university in the United States.

Methods

The Interprofessional Education Collaborative Competency Self Efficacy Tool (IPECC-SET27) was used to collect quantitative data. Qualitative data was collected through recorded simulation debriefing sessions. One hundred and thirty-six quantitative surveys were collected, and 214 qualitative responses were reviewed from the 48 simulations and recorded debriefing sessions. Paired t-tests and directed content analysis were used to infer the quantitative and qualitative impact of SIM-IPE on all students in an interprofessional team and differences among each profession.

Results

After SIM-IPE, all students showed statistically significant increases in mean CPB scores for all 27 items (ρ < 0.0001) for IPECC-SET 27. Students perceived their CPBs when caring for underserved individuals improved most in Teams and Teamwork item one (48 %, n = 103). Comparing individual professions and CPB skills; Values and ethics (14 %, n = 8) for pharmacy, roles, and RESPONSIBILITIES (28 %, n = 24) and Communication (32 % n = 27) for dentistry, and teams and teamwork (61 % n = 43) for nurse practitioner had the greatest impact and were most frequently reported.

Conclusions

Significantly increased mean scores in competence for CPBs was demonstrated. CPB differences were evident among professions. Educators must understand professional CPB differences and develop SIM - IPE that promotes development of collaborative practice-ready healthcare professionals.