The Use of Simulations to Improve Interprofessional Telemedicine Competencies in Health Care Education

• In Event: 35.038 - Simulation and Technology

Abstract

Rural health care settings present unique challenges, including distance and access to professionals, which impacts the frequency and nature of interprofessional health care. Telemedicine technologies in rural health care settings may enhance interprofessional health care delivery in these settings, but their use requires experience and training. The purpose of this study was to develop and test interprofessional telemedicine simulations to determine their feasibility within health care education and to identify existing levels of student competency. Quantitative and qualitative data indicate that 1) the 273 students in five professional disciplines valued interprofessional and telemedicine simulations, 2) that interprofessional competency varies across contexts and with the use of telemedicine, and 3) that such simulations are a feasible addition to health care education.

Authors

• Richard N. Van Eck, University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences

• Jon Allen, University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences

• Eric Johnson, University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences