Three Shift Simulation: An Interdisciplinary Simulation With a Focus on Communicating for Safety in Managing the Deteriorating Patient

Background: Suboptimal communication from one healthcare professional to another can lead to error and patient harm. Effective communication between nurses and other healthcare professionals contributes to a shared understanding of a patient's condition and their management plan. Simulation for health professional education be an effective method to improve communication for patient safety. Aim: To implement a simulated communication intervention, as an extracurricular activity among nursing, pharmacy, and medical students from a multicampus Australian university. Methods: A mixed methods questionnaire with open and closed questions was used to evaluate the direct impact of the simulation intervention, utilizing a validated tool: Satisfaction with Simulation Experience (SSE). The tool was adapted to capture experiences related to communication and patient safety. Findings: It was found that students’ ability to recognize the role of other health professionals in patient safety increased. Participants reported that the intervention enabled them to work together providing routine care and provided experience collaborating within a multidisciplinary team with the deteriorating patient. The results also demonstrated that participants learned to communicate for patient safety. Discussion: The simulation intervention contributed to better prepare students in communicating with one another in providing safe care for deteriorating patients. However, transfer of learning in practice was not measured and therefore the impact on long -term patient safety outcomes is unknown, and this requires further investigation. Conclusion: Incorporating interdisciplinary simulation with a focus on interdisciplinary communication into undergraduate nursing, pharmacy and medicine curricula can support students' knowledge, skills, and attitudes for quality and safe care.