title: Early introduction to interprofessional learning: a simulated ward environment.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To develop an interprofessional simulated ward environment for junior medical and nursing students and to identify themes for future evaluations and modify criteria for formative assessment of the exercise.
  
  
  METHODS
  Second year medical and nursing students.
  
  
  METHODS
  The multiprofessional Clinical Skills Centre at the Faculty of Medicine, and Nursing, University of Dundee, Scotland.
  
  
  METHODS
  A simulated ward environment was created in the Clinical Skills Centre around patients with common medical conditions. Students were allocated to interprofessional teams and, after a briefing given in the form of a ward report, were asked to take responsibility for the ward for 'a shift'. Observers from the Schools of Medicine and Nursing charted their progress in relation to evidence of collaborative team working, effective leadership, the ability to prioritise workload and competence in clinical performance. Evaluations of the exercise were taken from all participants. The criteria for formative assessment were reviewed by the observers after the exercise and a focus group was used to generate additional criteria and modify those piloted.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The exercise was perceived positively by all participating groups. Themes for evaluation of future exercises and modified criteria for future assessment were identified.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The exercise gave students their first experience of participating independently in a realistic and safe operational ward setting. It proved to be a powerful learning experience for the students.
authors.affiliation: Clinical Skills Centre, University of Dundee, UK. j.s.ker@dundee.ac.uk
authors.forename: Jean
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Ker
authors.forename: Lesley
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Mole
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Bradley
mesh_terms: D002983:Clinical Competence; D003479:Curriculum; D003695:Delivery of Health Care; D004504:Education, Medical, Undergraduate / Q000379:methods*; D004508:Education, Nursing, Baccalaureate / Q000379:methods*; D006784:Hospitals, Teaching / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D010865:Pilot Projects