Nursing and Biomedical Laboratory Science (BMLS) Students´ Interprofessional Training in the Simulation Laboratory

Abstract

Background: The purpose of this study is to present nursing and Biomedical Laboratory Science (BLMS) students’ perceptions of interprofessional education and collaborative practice in a simulation laboratory.

Method: A mixed-method research was employed, and the approach was an explanatory sequential design. A quantitative study was followed by a qualitative study. Sixty-nine students participated in the survey, with 16 items representing different aspects of interprofessionalism.

Findings: The factor “value of IPE” scored the highest mean, followed by the factor “need for collaborative practice.” Female students were more positive on the “value of IPE” than male students. The focus-group interviews revealed that the students considered debriefing afer the simulation to be a useful learning opportunity. They commented that it was useful to understand each other’s roles and it made them respect each other more. BMLS students felt that they were peripheral to the case, like a visitor in the simulation scenario.

Conclusion: Information for this study was gathered from a large group in a short amount of time. However, the students gained an insight into the need for an interprofessional approach to complex challenges in healthcare.