Delivering interprofessional patient safety education using storytelling, a real-life medication error, and synchronous online platform

Abstract

Introduction

Interprofessional education (IPE) about patient safety positively impacts safety and reduces errors but is challenging to deliver. We aimed to determine if a synchronous virtual IPE program using storytelling and interactive learning impacted student perceptions about patient safety.

Methods

An IPE patient safety program involving medical and pharmacy students was synchronously delivered virtually due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The program was framed using storytelling about a medication error told by a family member. Post-program survey data, exploring participants’ perspectives on the program, collected between July 2020 and November 2020 was retrospectively reviewed. Quantitative results were grouped by the five components of the program. Responses within each category were averaged to generate a summary measure of each student’s experience. Qualitative feedback from two survey questions was evaluated.

Results

There were 236 (96.7% of participants) completed surveys included in the analysis. High proportions of participants responded favorably across all five components of the survey. Qualitative responses were largely positive, with themes of increased empathy, behavior, and attitude change, and meaning making.

Conclusion

An interactive IPE patient safety program using storytelling about a real-life medication error to frame activities and utilizing a virtual platform was a favorable and impactful method to educate students.

Keywords:

• Interprofessional education
• patient-safety
• storytelling
• medication-safety
• online

Acknowledgment

The authors thank Carmel Witte, PhD for assistance with data analysis.

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflict of interest.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Candice L. Garwood

Candice L. Garwood, Pharm.D., is a Professor (Clinical) of Pharmacy Practice Wayne State University Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences and is also an Ambulatory Care Specialist Harper University Hospital, Detroit Medical Center.

Francine Salinitri

Francine Salinitri, Pharm.D., is an Associate Professor (Clinical) of Pharmacy Practice and the Director of Experiential Education at Wayne State University Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences.

Diane L. Levine

Diane Levine, MD, FACP, is the Vice Chair for Education and a Professor in the Department of Internal Medicine, Wayne State University Department of Internal Medicine. She also practices at the Detroit Medical Center.