Student Experiences with Engagement in a Nursing and Physical Therapy Interprofessional Education Simulation

Purpose: Interprofessional Education (IPE) incorporated into healthcare discipline instruction has been shown to be successful in improving the understanding perceptions of complimentary professions. The purpose of this mixed method study was to measure differences in perceptions of early Baccalaureate of Science in Nursing (BSN) students and Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) with participation in a immersive interprofessional education experience. Method: Students completed a pre and posttest survey consisting of the Readiness for Interprofessional Learning Scale and several short answer qualitative questions. Cohorts of BSN and DPT students participated in a computerized mannequin simulation experience or a hybrid simulation. Results: Students indicated they learned about each other's scope of practice and recognized the benefits of teamwork through collaboration. Conclusion: Students showed increased knowledge of the other profession, appreciated the opportunity for interprofessional learning, and were interested in having more IPE simulation learning experiences.