Interprofessional Education: A Multi-patient, Team-Based Intensive Care Unit Simulation

In this article, we describe a multi-patient, team-based simulation experience in an academic setting. We included participants from clinical laboratory science, respiratory therapy, nursing, and medical residents. This simulation allowed students to function as credentialed professionals, focusing on critical thinking, prioritization, effective communication, and teamwork. In order to fully incorporate all professions, we designed an extended-time simulation in which we strategically planned the sequencing of clinical events in each scenario. Because of the complexity of the scenarios, debriefing progressed through three levels: in-room, whole group, and profession specific. Although designing and implementing such a detailed simulation was challenging, we feel it is essential to prioritize teamwork and communication in the academic setting.