Interprofessional education in the U.S. military: harnessing simulation for team readiness

ABSTRACT

Research into military interprofessional healthcare teams (MIHTs) is rarely reported in the interprofessional literature. MIHTs must effectively collaborate in the low resource and chaotic contexts of humanitarian and combat deployments; however, we have yet to study how MIHTs learn to work in these contexts. To address this gap, we investigated military interprofessional education (MIPE). Using an ethnographic approach, we conducted non-participant observations (n = 30.5 hours) of a specific platoon (n = 32 participants) during an MIPE simulation called Operation Bushmaster – a large-scale immersive simulation of battlefield deployment. Findings indicated three aspects of MIPE: (1) a culture where flailing isn’t failing; (2) the importance of followership; and (3) an interprofessional respect fostered by role adoption. Considering these findings through Dweck’s fixed vs growth mind-set conceptualization, we suggest that – although unusual when compared with traditional IPE – MIPE’s teaching and learning methods provide developmental opportunities for team members. We also suggest why Dweck’s mind-set conceptualizations could be usefully extended from an individual-focus to also include a collaborative-team-focus. We contend that the findings developed from this research could be transferred to civilian contexts so that the lessons learned by those who serve on the war front could inform those who serve at home.

KEYWORDS:

• Interprofessional education
• military
• simulation
• healthcare
• ethnography

Declaration of Interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of this article.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by an intramural award from the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences. Dr. Elise Paradis’ research is also funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada.

Notes on contributors

Lara Varpio

Lara Varpio, PhD is a Professor of Medicine and Associate Director of Research for the Health Professions Education graduate degree program at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USU).

Karlen Bader Larsen

Karlen Bader Larsen, BSc is a Research Assistant in Dr. Varpio’s lab. She is contracted by the Henry M Jackson Foundation for the Advancement of Military Medicine (HJF) to the Department of Medicine (MED) at USU.

Meghan Hamwey

Meghan Hamwey, PhD is a Postdoctoral Fellow in Dr. Varpio’s lab. She is contracted by HJF to MED at USU.

Kevin Semelrath

Kevin Semelrath, MD is a Major in the United States Air Force and Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine at USU.

Elise Paradis

Elise Paradis, PhD is an Assistant Professor in the Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy and in the Department of Anesthesia, Faculty of Medicine at the University of Toronto.