Patient-centered simulation: Practicing interprofessional teamwork with standardized patients

The simulation environment provides opportunities for students to practice interprofessional skills in an authentic, yet safe setting. We discuss an interprofessional learning activity called Team Care Planning designed to teach interprofessional teamwork using a simulated discharge meeting involving an elderly female patient who had a cerebral vascular accident (stroke) and her adult daughter, played by standardized patients Interprofessional teams of health professions students work together to discuss the discharge plan and meet with the patient/family. Teamwork is evaluated using the Jefferson Teamwork Observation Guide (R), completed by the students, faculty observers, and standardized patients. Students also report their perception of knowledge and skills gained from the interprofessional activity in an electronic evaluation. Analysis of the data indicates the initial goals of the program are being met. Students report greater understanding of roles/responsibilities of team members; and students, faculty, and standardized patients rate the experience high in terms of the quality of the teamwork. Debriefing with faculty observers promotes student reflection on performance. Receiving feedback from the standardized patients informs student personal and professional development.