Keeping Momentum with Simulation-Based Interprofessional Education

Simulation interprofessional education (Sim-IPE) is crucial for developing effective healthcare teams and ensuring patient safety. INACSL leads global efforts to standardize, research, and promote Sim-IPE through innovative programs, committees, and regional groups, fostering collaboration and advancing simulation-based education across disciplines.

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Simulation-based education flourishes in the training of students enrolled in professional and allied healthcare academic programs as well as members of healthcare teams practicing in diverse patient care settings across the globe. Crucial to the novice entering practice is the capability to embrace being a member of an interdisciplinary team. Additionally, healthcare professionals remain highly aware of the need to maintain competence in knowledge and skills impacting safe practice behaviors. Enter, simulation-enhanced interprofessional education (Sim-IPE) as one reason to address why and how such training impacts not only individual performance but develops an awareness of the value each healthcare professional when working as a team.

In her 2013 President’s Message to the International Nursing Association for Clinical Simulation and Learning membership (INACSL), past president, Dr. Valerie Howard, simultaneously introduced the newly revised INACSL Standards of Best Practice: Simulation while advocating for continued progress in collating evidence to guide interdisciplinary communities to shape the future directions for simulation. The evidence linking expert interdisciplinary teamwork to safe patient outcomes in healthcare settings was emerging, emphasizing the value and importance of incorporating evidence-based Sim-IPE for all healthcare clinicians. In 2016, the first Sim-IPE Standard was published to connect both the pedagogy of simulation with core values of IPE. Criteria of using a theoretical framework or model, incorporating best design practice, recognizing potential barriers, and developing an evaluation plan were recognized as core components of this standard. The newly introduced Sim-IPE HSSOBP^TM (2021) continues to promote how building collaborative relationships remains essential. Encouragement in this standard also includes a call for interdisciplinary teams to incorporate valid and reliable measurement tools to link Sim-IPE to patient safety and quality of care when conducting evidence-based practice projects and research. However, educational pedagogy and practice will be slow to change without the sharing of Sim-IPE experiences through dissemination. INACSL has multiple outlets for collaborating, developing, and sharing Sim-IPE research and evidence-based practice projects. Furthermore, implementation of Sim-IPE must have the support of administrative leadership, committing personnel and resources on a recurring basis for this impactful training initiative.

At the forefront of innovation and of building relationships within the simulation communities, INACSL’s Standards and Research Committees along with Special Interests Groups provide numerous opportunities for members to collaborate and network. When seeking administration support for Sim-IPE, consider connecting with the Deans, Directors, and Program Manager SIG. Additionally, members of an INACSL Committee or SIG are investigating the latest evidence and discovering new areas to explore in simulation and IPE. Most recently, the Research SIG was recognized for accomplishments related to prior research centered on simulation facilitation. Since inception, exponential growth has occurred with worldwide membership. Present focus is placed on the use of simulation to evaluate learner competency and the utilization of virtual simulation for IPE. For the novice researcher, the INACSL Research Fellowship offers a unique mentoring program to grow and develop a research trajectory while creating long lasting connections between each fellow. Additionally, across the globe 12 Regional Interests Groups (RIGs) provide an international presence while members of each RIG collaborate locally to inform simulation-based education. Each RIG offers opportunities to engage in sharing of such interests on using simulation-based education and simulation modalities to transition into nursing practice; all topics aligning with Sim-IPE criteria.

In closing, momentum with Sim-IPE in INACSL is evolving to not only stay abreast of but continue to forge new directions for academia and practice. The current INACSL President and the Board of Directors invite you to expand connectedness with INACSL by sharing your expertise through service on a committee or build momentum with research as a Research Fellow or member of a RIG or SIG.

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