Interprofessional simulation education to enhance teamwork and communication skills among medical and nursing undergraduates using the TeamSTEPPS® framework

Background: Learning in silos during the undergraduate years results in ineffective collaborative practice leading to adverse events. Simulation training using the Team Strategies and Tools to Enhance Performance and Patient Safety (TeamSTEPPS)® framework has been shown to be effective in enhancing teamwork skills among healthcare professionals. This study aims to evaluate an interprofessional simulation education (IPSE) module for undergraduate medical and nursing students on teamwork and communication skills using the TeamSTEPPS® framework.

Methods: An IPSE module was developed by an interprofessional team of faculty. A convenient sample of medical and nursing undergraduate interns participated in trauma simulation scenarios before and after a didactic session on interprofessional education (IPE) and TeamSTEPPS® 2.0. The pre-post performance was assessed by faculty and pre-post self-assessment of the IPSE training and interprofessional education collaborative (IPEC) competencies by the participants. Quantitative data were analysed using a paired t-test of the mean scores and analysis of variance. The themes that emerged from audio recordings of the debriefing, and written reflections of the participants, yielded data for qualitative thematic analysis.

Results: The scores of team performance, self-assessment of IPSE training, and IPEC competencies revealed statistically significant values. Themes that emerged included the need for IPSE in the curriculum, impact of structured tools for communication on patient safety, and awareness of the roles and responsibilities in interprofessional teamwork. A survey conducted two weeks after completion of the module showed positive feelings among participants about interprofessional collaboration.

Conclusion: The study specifically assessed the effectiveness of an IPSE module based on TeamSTEPPS® guidelines in improving communication and teamwork skills among medical and nursing undergraduates.