The pandemic highlighted the need for a team-based approach to address social determinants of health (SDOH) to improve health outcomes. Addressing upstream factors requires constructive dialogue with community stakeholders, an important skill that most health professions learners do not receive formal training on. Virtual simulations can be used to train learners to plan and execute interprofessional, team-based community interventions. Simulation design must target skills development and change management processes. This is a description of the implementation and program evaluation of an interprofessional virtual simulation on SDOH and obesity.The 3-hour simulation is designed for students, faculty, and practitioners from various health professions. Utilizing both real-play and role-play methodologies, participants are placed in interprofessional teams and learn to engage in a community task force meeting to propose an intervention using a 6-step improvement model. In the process, participants explore how SDOH impacts their understanding of and biases around obesity. Each team is facilitated by an advanced learner who received just-in-time training on interprofessional, small group facilitation.The virtual simulation was delivered twice during the pandemic and involved 132 participants from 13 professions, including medicine, nursing, pharmacy, social work, nutrition, dental hygiene, and athletic training. All respondents rated the experience excellent or good, and agreed it promoted collaborative problem solving and mutual trust and respect. Most reported the simulation helped them learn with and from each other (96%) and about each other’s professions (83%). The most frequently reported skills gained were working with key stakeholders, participating in a task force meeting, and developing a community action plan. The majority (93%) will recommend this simulation.Virtual simulation is an effective way to prepare interprofessional students and practitioners to engage with community stakeholders and address SDOH using an evidence-based improvement model. Delivering this experience virtually made it accessible to a large number of participants.
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
