An interprofessional medical malpractice mock trial: event evolution and assessment of efficacy

Abstract

Medical malpractice trials improve understanding of law and healthcare intersection. Healthcare professional curricula rarely include interprofessional (IP) medical malpractice simulation learning. We describe a framework and student impressions for delivery of a large-scale interinstitutional IP mock trial. An interinstitutional IP mock trial established in 2018 evolved from in-person to hybrid to virtual delivery formats. Healthcare and law students participated as trial attorneys, witnesses and jury members. Jurors heard the case (opening statements, Plaintiff/Defendant cases, closing statements) before IP juries convened to deliberate. A debriefing discussion followed verdict delivery. Student evaluations from in-person, hybrid and virtual offerings were compared. Learners from 19 professions across four institutions and 12 IP facilitators participated in in-person ( A large-scale interinstitutional IP mock medical malpractice trial increased students’ perception of learning and IP skills, and supported healthcare and law students learning with, from and about each other. Virtual large-scale simulation events effectively increase accessibility for learners and expert faculty.