A TeamSTEPPS-Based Simulation Delivered Virtually Provides Teamwork and Communication Outcomes Comparable to In-Person Instruction.

Introduction: Interprofessional collaborative practice is linked to decreased medical errors. Previously, we published that large-scale in-person simulations can teach interprofessional teamwork skills. To prove that virtual instruction in these skills produces similar learning outcomes, we compared virtual and in-person learning outcomes from delivery of a workshop based on TeamSTEPPS.

Methods: Students were assigned by their school faculty and attendance was mandatory. After completing an online learning module on TeamSTEPPS techniques, pre-clinical students (n = 1,158) from 10 professions practiced these skills in two virtual interprofessional simulations lasting 75 minutes including debriefings. Pre-post surveys were administered to learners. We compared findings with in-person results previously reported from simulations using the same cases.

Results: Performance on multiple choice questions and self-reported teamwork ability improved pre- to post-simulation. Participants recommended the simulation be required for subsequent learners (85.6%) and were satisfied with the relevance to their area of study (87.54%). Qualitative comments highlighted the benefits of the teamwork and interprofessional components of the simulation.

Discussion: Outcomes of virtual program delivery were similar to those of in-person delivery. Virtual simulation successfully enabled students to apply skills in an interprofessional environment to improve teamwork and communication skills. These results enable us to offer this course virtually to distance learning students currently.