Shining a Spotlight on Interprofessional Education & Evaluating an Interprofessional Pediatrics Educational Module Using Simulation

Abstract

Interprofessional Education (IPE) occurs when two or more professions learn from, with, and about one another. There is a growing body of research indicating that IPE leads to enhanced professional practice, improved knowledge and skills, more enjoyable learning experiences, and can result in long term cost control from overall improvements in patient safety. Simulation learning, or the reenactment of routine or critical clinical events is now being incorporated into many IPE programs. Program participants work together to perform emergent care skills and scenarios in a controlled environment on high‐fidelity human patient simulators. Interprofessional collaboration and simulation is essential in pediatric care asit contributes to overall patient wellbeing and offers an opportunity to practice the skills used in an acute care incident, events that occur at low frequency in childhood. A research study through the Faculty of Health Sciences, evaluates the introduction of an interprofessional pediatrics educational module amongst nursing and medical students at Queen’s University. This study is part of an innovative pilot project aimed at improving patient welfare and safety through interprofessional health education using patient simulators.