The need for flexible learning opportunities has come to the forefront of interprofessional education (IPE) through restrictions posed by the COVID-19 pandemic. In this session, we discuss the what, why, and how of designing, implementing, and evaluating 3D virtual world (3-DVW) simulations. The session will present an innovative IPE learning experience that teaches students in the health professions to work in teams to provide care for persons with Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and their caregivers.
3-DVWs, which are accessed completely online, have clear advantages for IPE, including environments that do not require students and facilitators to participate within the same geographic location and that provide meaningful opportunities for practice in a safe, low-stakes environment. Moreover, by using the Flexible Learning Framework, 3-DVW simulations can create opportunities for delivering training for a wide range of professions, learning objectives, budgets, and diverse scheduling needs.
This session discusses an interprofessional initiative, the Alzheimer’s Virtual Interprofessional Training (AVIT), a series of 3 simulations that follow a woman with AD through progression of the disease over time. AVIT is conducted within the 3-DVW of Second Life and includes participants from medicine, nursing, pharmacy, occupational therapy, and physical therapy. Following the patient through early to middle and later stage dementia enables students to experience the continuum of care and provides opportunities to apply knowledge of AD and practice interprofessional communication, team building, and procedural skills such as conducting a cognitive screening exam. The simulations feature built environments consisting of a primary care provider’s office, patient’s home, and a long-term care facility.
After attending this session, participants will be able to:
• discuss strengths and challenges of developing and implementing 3-DVWs for IPE
• use principles of flexible learning to brainstorm ideas for their own IPE simulations with 3-DVWs
• discuss utilization of 3-DVWs for enhancing collaborative practice
In support of improving patient care, this activity is planned and implemented by The National Center for Interprofessional Practice and Education Office of Interprofessional Continuing Professional Development (OICPD). The OICPD is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.
As a Jointly Accredited Provider, the OICPD is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved under this program. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. The OICPD maintains responsibility for this course. Social workers completing this course receive continuing education credits.
This activity was planned by and for the healthcare team, and learners will receive Interprofessional Continuing Education (IPCE) credit for learning and change.
Physicians: The National Center for Interprofessional Practice and Education designates this live activity for AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™.
Physician Assistants: The American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA) accepts credit from organizations accredited by the ACCME.
Nurses: Participants will be awarded contact hours of credit for attendance at this workshop.
Nurse Practitioners: The American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Program (AANPCP) accepts credit from organizations accredited by the ACCME and ANCC.
Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians: This activity is approved for contact hours.
Social Workers: As a Jointly Accredited Organization, the National Center is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved under this program. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. The National Center maintains responsibility for this course. Social workers completing this course receive continuing education credits.
IPCE: This activity was planned by and for the healthcare team, and learners will receive Interprofessional Continuing Education (IPCE) credits for learning and change
