Abstract
Background: Simulation-enhanced interprofessional education (Sim-IPE) is increasingly used in health professional programs to promote team competence. Sim-IPE using online technology incorporating palliative care (PC) scenarios may be an attractive option for including distance learners, overcoming clinical-site restrictions, and increasing proficiency in difficult conversations. Purpose: To evaluate outcomes of Sim-IPE using a web-conferencing platform in an interprofessional (IP) PC course. Method: Repeated measures were used to evaluate self-efficacy and competent performance in IP PC scenarios among enrolled students (N = 24) during a two-part simulation in two separate semesters. Student health professions included nursing, medicine, pharmacy, social work, occupational therapy, and physical therapy. Results: Significant self-efficacy increases were found between Simulations 1 and 2 in both course offerings, with competent student team performance in each simulation. Conclusions: Distance Sim-IPE using PC scenarios are effective pedagogy for IP students to develop competence in how to engage, collaborate, and communicate among teams for patient-centered care.