Evaluating interprofessional simulation in the operating theatre

The operating theatre is an area of practice that newly qualified Diagnostic Radiographers find challenging. Interprofessional education (IPE) and simulation are becoming widely used in healthcare education in order to prepare students for practice. Failures in interprofessional communication are well-documented with poor communication an established cause of medical error and negative health outcomes. Socio-historical issues like imbalances in power and status are particularly prevalent in the operating theatre environment, and add complications to interprofessional working. As part of an action research study to develop and pilot an interprofessional simulation experience for Operating Department Practitioner (ODP) and Diagnostic Radiography (DRAD) students. Diagnostic Radiography students took part in a simulation in the mock operating theatre on the university campus with an ODP student, ODP and Diagnostic Radiography lecturers. A purposive convenience sample of 48 second year Diagnostic Radiography students participated in the simulation. Following the simulation students were asked to evaluate the session using Padlet and later reflect on the impact of the experience on practice. The simulation was a positive experience. The timing and organisation of the simulation is important for the students to get the most out of the experience. There are benefits of being immersed in a high fidelity simulation and the realism plays a role in preparing students for real life experiences.