Development of a Virtual Mock Trial Platform for Interprofessional Learning

In order to continue to deliver high quality interprofessional education during the COVID-19 pandemic, educational innovations including virtual simulations have been necessary. The Mock Trial interprofessional learning event is designed to give law students and medical, nursing, pharmacy, public health and other healthcare professions students exposure to a medical negligence trial and the opportunity to learn about, from and with each other as they collaborate as a jury to reach a verdict. To enable this to continue during the pandemic, transition to the virtual platform was required. Subject matter experts from the William H. Bowen School of Law, University of Arkansas Little Rock and the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences (UAMS) Office of IPE jointly developed content for the Mock Trial. Students in the 2021 event (143) were given pre-course jury instructions, IPE objectives and technical connection information two weeks before the trial. Law students, the judge, and simulated witnesses received script materials one month prior to prepare. Facilitators participated in a virtual ‘crash course’ training one week before and a 15-minute pre-huddle just prior. In the simulated courtroom were 11 individuals: one judge, four law students (two defense, two prosecution), five witnesses and one administrator. Social distancing and masking rules were obeyed. One witness participated via Zoom. Jurors watched the trial via Zoom and then were put into interprofessional breakouts with a facilitator to deliberate and discuss structured questions. All returned to the main room and verdicts were delivered followed by a debriefing session. Facilitators also debriefed after event conclusion. Pre- and post-assessments were completed by students.This virtual Mock Trial provides a template for effectively translating a large-scale simulation learning experience from in-person to virtual. This is important as interprofessional education has likely permanently changed, with virtual and hybrid events part of the foreseeable future.