Passing the Baton: Using Simulation to Develop Student Collaboration

BackgroundThere is scant research about the effectiveness of teaching collaborative handoff strategies.MethodFollowing a collaborative simulation, this pilot project used a quasi-experimental, 2-group, posttest design to (a) identify differences between nursing and paramedic students' perceptions of collaboration, (b) determine satisfaction and intention-to-act, and (c) compare communication preferences.ResultsResponses were positive for collaboration, satisfaction, and intention-to-act. Nursing students showed increased preference for structured formats. Qualitative themes included interaction, experience, uncertainty, realism, and mental models.ConclusionsCollaborative simulation is potentially useful as a teaching–learning strategy to improve handoff communication.