Teaching interprofessional competencies using virtual simulation: A descriptive exploratory research study.

BACKGROUND

Interprofessional education provides a venue for the acquisition of interprofessional competencies. Virtual reality experiences may allow students from different health professions the opportunity to work together to develop these competencies for safe patient outcomes.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to determine if virtual reality supports the development of interprofessional competency knowledge for Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Practical Nursing and Health Care Assistant students.

DESIGN

A descriptive qualitative study using semi structured pre and post questionnaires were administered to students in their senior semesters of their respective program.

SETTING

Mid-sized western Canadian University.

PARTICIPANTS

Twenty-seven Bachelor of Science in Nursing students, twelve Practical Nursing students and seven Health Care Assistant students.

RESULTS

Three themes emerged from the analysis: Intentional Collaboration, Role Awareness, and Positions of Power.

CONCLUSIONS

Virtual reality provides students with the opportunity to collaborate for safe patient care. Students were able to strengthen their knowledge of interprofessional competencies. Further work is needed to determine if these experiences carry through post-graduation and impact work relationships.