Simulation-based Interprofessional Education

A simulation-based interprofessional education (Sim-IPE) programme was developed to enhance communication between doctors and nurses on treatment planning for a deteriorating patient.

The 3-hour Sim-IPE uses a scenario of an interdisciplinary ward round of a patient with clinical signs of sepsis and a scenario of a patient with life-threatening condition such as septic shock.

Communication strategies adapted from Team Strategies and Tools to Enhance Performance and Patient Safety (TeamSTEPPS) are incorporated in the training programme.

1. ISBAR (Situation, background, Assessment, and Recommendation) tool to communicate assessment findings and critical information to team members;
2. Feedback to acknowledge team members’ concern or recommendation
3. Call-out strategy to help team member to understand the treatment plan.

Studies have reported the effectiveness of the SIM-IPE in enhancing medical and nursing students’ self-confidence, perception towards interprofessional learning, and each other’s profession, and attitudes towards nurse-physician collaboration. ^21,22

Please read the following article for a detailed description and evaluation of the Sim-IPE:

1. Liaw SY, Zhou WT, Lau TC, Siau C, Chan SW. An interprofessional communication training using simulation to enhance safe care for a deteriorating patient. Nurse Education Today. 2014;34(2): 259-64. [Medline: 23518067]



2. Liaw SY, Siau C, Zhou WT, Lau TC. Interprofessional simulation-based education program: a promising approach for changing stereotypes and improving attitudes toward nurse-physician collaboration. Applied Nursing Research. 2014;27(4):258-60. [Medline: 24849067]