Board 246 - Program Innovations Abstract We Won’t Be Silos Anymore! A Multi-Professional Simulation Success Story of One Large University (Submission #416)

Abstract

Introduction/Background The Ohio State University is located in the heart of the state and is one of the largest land grant universities in the nation. Over the last several years, multiple collaborative simulated experiences have been developed to enrich the education of healthcare professional students on campus. Three influences stand out as having leveraged their development. First, the Institute of Medicine has recommended that principles of interprofessional (IP) team training be integrated into the education of all healthcare students.1 The Interprofessional Education Collaboration, in response, has laid out competencies for interprofessional healthcare training including teamwork and collaboration.3 Finally, Ohio State is home to seven health science colleges in close proximity allowing multiple opportunities for collaboration. Interprofessional simulation helps to promote teamwork and collaboration among healthcare professional students as well as practicing professionals. Healthcare professionals that train alongside one another in carefully developed patient care scenarios can learn to communicate more effectively with those outside of their profession, increase their knowledge of the others scope of practice and gain confidence in advocating and making decisions for their patients. Ultimately, this training method may improve future patient outcomes. Though the benefits of IP simulation are vast, few have been successful in implementing this type of training. Developing an interprofessional simulation program can be very challenging for multiple reasons. The logistics of getting multiple healthcare students together that are on differing schedules can be an insurmountable task. By in by necessary planning team members can be lacking due to previous experiences and attitudes about simulation in general as well as the value of team training. Choosing and matching the levels of participants and creating patient scenarios that meet the needs of the entire team rather than one profession can be a grueling activity. Many feel defeated before getting started. Methods In May of 2012, a core group of IP faculty and staff at The Ohio State University began the development of a simulated experience which would eventually incorporate eight different health professional students. Students from Nursing (both BSN and MSN levels), Medicine, Pharmacy, Social Work, Physical Therapy, Respiratory Therapy, Occupational Therapy and Medical Dietetics would participate together in a two patient acute care scenario. Six months were spent planning the simulation objectives, patient cases and all of the necessary logistics which culminated in a series of simulations that occurred in November 2012. Components of the experience included team rounding and collaborative patient treatment planning for two complex patients on a progressive care unit. The objectives of the experience were to create a climate of mutual respect and understanding, understand the roles and responsibilities of the other professions participating in the simulation, develop interprofessional communication skills and develop a multidisciplinary team plan of care to improve patient outcomes across the lifespan. The experience was considered successful and encouraging by all involved. Students repeatedly exclaimed that all healthcare students should have the opportunity to go through the experience and that it was their most valuable simulation of all. The series was repeated in April 2013 and a total of 400 health science students participated the first year. Results: Conclusion This presentation will showcase a successful interprofessional simulation program detailing the process and outcomes. Participants will improve their knowledge and skills in creating and maintaining interprofessional simulations in their healthcare education programs. They will also be equipped to overcome challenges and potential pitfalls related to the implementation of inter-professional simulation.