Improving interprofessional competence in undergraduate students using a novel blended learning approach.

Interprofessional simulation interventions, especially when face-to-face, involve considerable resources and require that all participants convene in a single location at a specific time. Scheduling multiple people across different programs is an important barrier to implementing interprofessional e...

Descripción completa

Detalles Bibliográficos
Publicado en:Journal of Interprofessional Care Vol. 26; no. 4; pp. 312 - 319
Autores principales: Riesen, Eleanor, Morley, Michelle, Clendinneng, Debra, Ogilvie, Susan, Ann Murray, Mary
Formato: research tables/charts Journal Article
Publicado: Taylor & Francis Ltd Jul2012
Acceso en línea:Ver este registro en EBSCOhost
Descripción
Sumario:Interprofessional simulation interventions, especially when face-to-face, involve considerable resources and require that all participants convene in a single location at a specific time. Scheduling multiple people across different programs is an important barrier to implementing interprofessional education interventions. This study explored a novel way to overcome the challenges associated with scheduling interprofessional learning experiences through the use of simulations in a virtual environment (Web.Alive™) where learners interact as avatars. In this study, 60 recent graduates from nursing, paramedic, police, and child and youth service programs participated in a 2-day workshop designed to improve interprofessional competencies through a blend of learning environments that included virtual face-to-face experiences, traditional face-to-face experiences and online experiences. Changes in learners' interprofessional competence were assessed through three outcomes: change in interprofessional attitudes pre- to post-workshop, self-perceived changes in interprofessional competence and observer ratings of performance across three clinical simulations. Results from the study indicate that from baseline to post-intervention, there was significant improvement in learners' interprofessional competence across all outcomes, and that the blended learning environment provided an acceptable way to develop these competencies.