Ward calls not so scary for medical students after interprofessional simulation course: a mixed-methods cohort evaluation study

Abstract

BackgroundAn interprofessional simulation ‘ward call’ course—WardSim—was designed and implemented for medical, pharmacy and nursing students. We evaluated this intervention and also explored students’ experiences and ideas of both the course and of ward calls.MethodsWe used a mixed-methods cohort study design including survey and focus groups. Descriptive statistical analysis and general purpose thematic analysis were undertaken.ResultsSurvey respondents who participated in WardSim subsequently attended more ward calls and took a more active role than the control cohort, with 34% of the intervention cohort attending ward calls under indirect supervision, compared with 15% from the control cohort (P=0.004). Focus group participants indicated that the situation they were most anxious about facing in the future was attending a ward call. They reported that their collective experiences on WardSim alleviated such anxiety because it offered them experiential learning that they could then apply in real-life situations. They said they had learnt how to work effectively with other team members, to take on a leadership role, to make differential diagnoses under pressure and to effectively communicate and seek help.ConclusionsAn interprofessional, simulated ward call course increased medical students’ sense of preparedness for and participation in ward calls in the next calendar year.