title: Improving interprofessional competence in undergraduate students using a novel blended learning approach.
abstract: Interprofessional simulation interventions, especially when face-to-face, involve considerable resources and require that all participants convene in a single location at a specific time. Scheduling multiple people across different programs is an important barrier to implementing interprofessional education interventions. This study explored a novel way to overcome the challenges associated with scheduling interprofessional learning experiences through the use of simulations in a virtual environment (Web.Alive™) where learners interact as avatars. In this study, 60 recent graduates from nursing, paramedic, police, and child and youth service programs participated in a 2-day workshop designed to improve interprofessional competencies through a blend of learning environments that included virtual face-to-face experiences, traditional face-to-face experiences and online experiences. Changes in learners' interprofessional competence were assessed through three outcomes: change in interprofessional attitudes pre- to post-workshop, self-perceived changes in interprofessional competence and observer ratings of performance across three clinical simulations. Results from the study indicate that from baseline to post-intervention, there was significant improvement in learners' interprofessional competence across all outcomes, and that the blended learning environment provided an acceptable way to develop these competencies.
authors.affiliation: Algonquin College, School of Health and Community Studies, 1385 Woodroffe Avenue, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada. riesene@algonquincollege.com
authors.forename: Eleanor
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Riesen
authors.forename: Michelle
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Morley
authors.forename: Debra
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Clendinneng
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Ogilvie
authors.forename: Mary
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ann Murray
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003198:Computer Simulation; D003479:Curriculum; D003625:Data Collection; D004493:Education; D004521:Educational Measurement; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D033183:Interdisciplinary Communication; D020407:Internet; D007858:Learning; D008297:Male; D009864:Ontario; D036301:Qualitative Research; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D013336:Students, Health Occupations / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013663:Teaching / Q000379:methods*; D014584:User-Computer Interface; D055815:Young Adult