Comparison of communication outcomes in traditional versus simulation strategies in nursing and medical students

Abstract

The Institute of Medicine has called for more interprofessional collaboration between physicians and nurses. The purpose of this research was to compare the outcomes in affective and communication domains using a traditional (roundtable) model versus simulation in nursing and medical students. A prospective, descriptive survey design was used to collect data on 41 senior bachelor of science in nursing students, and 19 second-year medical students. The simulation strategy resulted in statistically higher levels of stress as identified by participants. In addition, nearly all participants reported having a better sense of the clinical role, and with 55 percent of participants stating that the experience changed their view of the role of the clinical team. This initial study indicates that interprofessional communication may be enhanced using simulation.