LINC Simulation IPE Experience Grows in Numbers and Impact
The second annual LINC Simulation IPE Experience took place January-February 2024 with 1,054 student participants completing the activity—an increase of 37% from last year! Pictured: A standardized patient trained by the H-E-B Clinical Skills Center facilitates an interprofessional telehealth simulation encounter.
Last year, 769 students participated in the inaugural LINC Simulation IPE Experience. This simulation, completed in interprofessional groups of 3-4 students at/near the middle of their respective educational programs, aims to facilitate interprofessional socialization, expand upon skills and competencies introduced in the LINC Common IPE Experience for incoming students, and prepare students for future IPE activities, including the LINC Clinical IPE Experience.
The interprofessional team responsible for this university-wide IPE activity—led by Dr. Sadie Trammel Velásquez from the Long School of Medicine and comprised of members Drs. James Cleveland (School of Nursing), David Ojeda Diaz (School of Dentistry), Diane Ferguson (Long School of Medicine), Rebecca Moote (UT Austin College of Pharmacy), Kathryn Parke (School of Nursing), and Bridgett Piernik-Yoder (School of Health Professions)—earned a best poster award from the Interprofessional Education Collaborative in November 2023 based on the success of this work.
After completing the second annual Simulation IPE Experience, students reported increased understanding of the importance of effective interprofessional communication, improved ability to reflect on their own communication skills and strategies, and enhanced understanding of teams and how to improve team performance. They also shared that the experience helped them understand the need for effective interprofessional teamwork, as well as why health professionals from different disciplines must collaborate to develop informed healthcare plans for patient care.
The direct quotes below further highlight the positive impact of this experience on students:
• “The LINC Simulation IPE Experience played a crucial role in honing my communication and conflict management skills. . . The simulation provided a platform to navigate diverse perspectives, fostering a deeper understanding of the importance of effective communication.”—Bachelor of Science in Nursing student
• “Through simulated scenarios, I learned to collaborate effectively with interdisciplinary teams. . .The experience emphasized the importance of communication and mutual respect among team members, promoting a supportive environment conducive to optimal patient outcomes.”—Doctor of Medicine student
• “[The] LINC Simulation IPE Experience helped me get experience discussing a patient’s medical issues under multiple lenses. One health concern could be approached from multiple angles and having various health professionals helped bring it all together.”—Doctor of Dental Surgery student
• “[The Simulation] IPE Experience helped me to understand the importance of each health professional role in coming together to help a patient not only with their family medical needs but also with their apprehensions with the medical teams’ decisions.” —Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene student
• “Simulating a real-world healthcare scenario facilitated the application of academic knowledge to practical situations, fostering critical thinking and collaborative problem-solving, all of which aim to enhance the health outcome for the patient.”—Master of Science in Speech Language Pathology student
• “[The experience] helped me understand the power of the health team and how delegating tasks, communicating effectively, and having a plan can help resolve patient and caregiver problems effectively.”—Doctor of Occupational Therapy student
• “By navigating these simulations, I’ve gained practical insights into optimizing team dynamics, promoting well-being, and ultimately improving health outcomes through a coordinated and strategic approach to care.”—Master of Physician Assistant Studies student