Since 2017, Rachel Desoto-Jackson, a faculty member at Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP), has been leading an innovative program aimed at enhancing communication and collaboration among future healthcare professionals. Working with a team of faculty from Nursing, Speech-language Pathology, and Food and Nutrition, Desoto-Jackson has developed an interprofessional simulation designed to teach undergraduate students how to effectively work together across various healthcare disciplines.
Each semester, up to 60 students from these different fields participate in a live-action healthcare simulation. A live actor plays the role of a patient, and students are tasked with providing care and communicating with one another as a team. The goal of the exercise is to teach students the essential skills they’ll need to succeed in the healthcare field—skills such as teamwork, communication, and problem-solving.
According to Desoto-Jackson, the idea behind the program is simple: “In healthcare, professionals rarely work in isolation. They must communicate and collaborate effectively to provide the best care for their patients. This simulation helps students experience that teamwork before they enter the workforce.”
The simulation has been a success, offering students a practical, hands-on experience in interprofessional communication. By interacting with students from other disciplines, participants get a better understanding of the roles and responsibilities of their colleagues and how to communicate effectively with them in a clinical setting.
Adapting to Modern Learning Methods
Recently, Desoto-Jackson’s team has taken the simulation to the next level by incorporating the Forum method from Applied Theatre. This method is designed to make the simulation even more interactive by allowing students to actively participate in the scenario. Instead of merely observing, students can intervene during the simulation, offering solutions or changing the course of the action.
The change has proven to be a hit among students. Desoto-Jackson explains, “The Forum method allows students to become more engaged in the simulation. It provides them with the opportunity to try out different solutions in real-time, which is a valuable experience in healthcare.”
By using the Forum method, students can practice applying their knowledge and skills in a dynamic, hands-on way. This approach gives them the opportunity to learn from their mistakes in a low-risk setting, an important step in building confidence and competence.
Making a Real-World Impact
The impact of this simulation goes beyond just teaching students how to communicate with one another. Research has shown that interprofessional education improves patient care, reduces errors, and boosts overall job satisfaction among healthcare workers. The skills students develop during these simulations can translate directly to improved patient outcomes once they enter the workforce.
“This is about preparing students not just for their specific roles, but for a team-based environment,” says Desoto-Jackson. “The healthcare system is evolving, and it’s important that we teach our students how to navigate that change. Working together is the key to providing the best care possible.”
The program is also designed to break down barriers between healthcare disciplines. Nursing, Speech-language Pathology, and Food and Nutrition students often don’t have much opportunity to collaborate until they are working in the field. The simulation provides an early chance to learn how to communicate effectively across disciplines, an essential skill for modern healthcare teams.
Expanding the Program’s Reach
The success of the program has led Desoto-Jackson and her colleagues to consider expanding the simulation model. They hope to incorporate more healthcare disciplines into the program, allowing even more students to benefit from this collaborative learning experience.
“We’re always looking for ways to improve and grow the program,” Desoto-Jackson says. “The future of healthcare depends on teamwork, and we want to ensure our students are ready to contribute to that team dynamic.”
The faculty team also plans to explore other methods of experiential learning that will help students hone their skills in real-world scenarios. By continuing to innovate and adapt the program, Desoto-Jackson and her team are ensuring that IUP remains at the forefront of healthcare education.
Key Takeaways:
- The interprofessional simulation at IUP is designed to teach healthcare students how to collaborate and communicate across disciplines.
- Up to 60 students participate each semester, interacting with a live actor who plays the role of a patient.
- Recently, the team added the Forum method from Applied Theatre to make the simulation even more interactive and engaging.
- The program aims to prepare students for the team-based nature of modern healthcare, improving patient outcomes and reducing errors.
- Desoto-Jackson plans to expand the program, incorporating more disciplines and exploring new methods of experiential learning.
With the success of the simulation program, RDesoto-Jackson is shaping the future of healthcare education. By providing students with a hands-on learning experience in communication and teamwork, she’s helping to ensure that they’re prepared for the collaborative nature of modern healthcare practice.
