Incorporating Patient-centeredness Through Virtual Interprofessional Simulation (VISion)

The Interprofessional Education Collaborative (IPEC) established core competencies for interprofessional (IP) collaborative practice, including patient-centeredness, which requires IP learners to place the interests of patients and populations at the center of care delivery. To meet this competency, health professional schools must develop collaborative experiences for both on-campus and distance students that incorporate a patient-centered focus. Recent pandemic protocols requiring physical distancing have resulted in a need for virtual experiences to meet this learner objective. While most virtual IP experiences are asynchronous due to logistics and varied student schedules, virtual IP simulation (VISion) has been used within Creighton University’s health professional programs to provide synchronous experiential learning that integrates patient-centeredness to improve health and health equity across the life span. Providing virtual synchronous learning opportunities that are also engaging can be challenging, but is often required to meet IP accreditation standards.

VISion is an experiential learning activity conducted using a web-conferencing platform to connect learners, fostering meaningful and collaborative relationships with peers, faculty, and patients. VISion overcomes barriers to in-person simulation and clinical learning experiences while remaining flexible and adaptable in meeting learning outcomes. Various clinical learning environments can be simulated through VISion with high fidelity from almost anywhere with internet access. Measurable student outcomes of VISion include increased confidence in IP communication, greater understanding of health professional roles, enhanced clinical competence, and ability to balance one’s priorities with those of the patient and other team members.

This seminar includes instruction on development of synchronous patient-centered IPE activities that optimize online clinical learning. Participants will be provided access to a case development worksheet and resources for effective facilitation, assessment, and sustainability of VISion. Leading-edge techniques and latest knowledge in IP simulation will be shared. Presenters will guide participants through the VISion development process and offer customized solutions to addressing unique IPE barriers and issues related to IPE of distance learners.

By the end of this seminar, participants will be able to:

1. Describe strategies to incorporate patient-centeredness through VISion - Virtual Interprofessional Simulation

2. Access resources that promote virtual practice-based learning and evaluation of VISion experiences

3. Employ skills of facilitation of VISion-based experiences that enhance interprofessional clinical learning

Outline:

1. Provide background on the need for synchronous interprofessional simulations for distance students: knowledge gaps, benefits, and barriers to VISion implementation. (5 minutes- powerpoint & audience polling)
2. Share examples of patient-centered VISion scenarios (paper and standardized patient example). (15 minutes - powerpoint & videos)
3. Outline process for developing and assessing VISion case scenarios, including application of standards for high quality VISion facilitation. (15 minutes - review hand-out)

4. Explore strengths and weaknesses of the VISion methods employed in example case and how these can be leveraged in planning future cases. (15 minutes - live chat or moderated Q&A)
5. Discuss and share resources/repositories for patient-centered case development (10 minutes - group share)

Funding: Josiah Macy Jr. Foundation, National Association of Boards of Pharmacy and American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy, and Creighton University