Fostering Collaborative Competence: A Virtual Simulation Framework for Health Professions
Fostering collaborative competence among future health professionals is essential for high-functioning, patient-centered care. Virtual synchronous simulation has emerged as a reliable and accessible method for developing interprofessional team skills. At the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences, the Interprofessional Education (IPE) program has implemented a structured virtual simulation framework designed to promote rapid team formation and collaborative practice across diverse health disciplines.
During the 2024–2025 academic year, over 1,800 students from the Colleges of Allied Health, Dentistry, Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Public Health, and Social Work participated in these simulations. Student behaviors were self-assessed using the Jefferson Team Observation Guide®, an instrument aligned with the IPEC Core Competencies for Interprofessional Collaborative Practice. A total of 1,561 team-based responses were collected.
Findings revealed consistently high performance in the domains of Values and Ethics, Leadership, and Teamwork, with mean scores significantly exceeding the neutral benchmark (p < 0.001). Values and Ethics emerged as the highest-rated domain, highlighting a strong commitment to patient-centered care and professional integrity. These results underscore the effectiveness of the virtual simulation framework in cultivating mutual respect, shared accountability, and interprofessional collaboration.
This seminar will provide a step-by-step guide to implementing a virtual simulation framework for interprofessional education. Participants will explore the OU Interprofessional Simulation Template and leave with a customizable action plan for local adoption. The session aligns with the conference theme, Preparing Students for Interprofessional Practice, by offering a low-barrier, high-impact model for embedding team-based learning into health professions curricula.
Learning Objectives:
Describe the structure and components of a virtual IPE simulation program.
Demonstrate the OU IPE Simulation Template.
Develop a concept map as an action plan for implementation.
Engagement Strategies: Attendees will participate in active learning using Zoom features such as polls, chat, and whiteboard tools. They will receive a curriculum map, standard operating procedures, and the OU IPE Simulation Template to support immediate application. This seminar addresses the priority area of measurable learning and health outcomes by showcasing a proven educational modality with demonstrated impact.
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 (National Center OICPD). The National Center 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 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.
The National Center OICPD (JA#: 4008105) is approved by the Board of Certification, Inc. to provide continuing education to Athletic Trainers (ATs).
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™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with their participation.
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.
Athletic Trainers: This program is eligible for Category A hours/CEUs. ATs should claim only those hours actually spent in the educational program.
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.
Learners can claim CE credit by completing the Daily Evaluation.