Josh Pascua, a physical therapy student, takes the blood pressure of
a standardized patient during an interprofessional simulation November 10.
Photo Credit:
Lauren Seymour
Students from physical therapy, physician assistant studies and
Ferris State pharmacy collaborated on a simulation at the DeVos Center
for Interprofessional Health.
Photo Credit:
Lauren Seymour
More than 150 students and 10 standardized patients attended the simulation.
Photo Credit:
Lauren Seymour
More than 150 Grand Valley and Ferris State students participated in
an interprofessional, team-based care simulation November 10 at the
DeVos Center for Interprofessional Health.
Grand Valley physician assistant studies and physical therapy
students and Ferris pharmacy students were placed in small groups to
assess and diagnose a standardized patient. Andrew Booth, chair and
associate professor of physician assistant studies, said 10
standardized patients were used, all presenting the same symptoms.
The star of the simulation was the Simulation Center itself.
Doug Ayers, simulation technology manager, said the center's space
and technology allowed student teams to physically move from the
hospital suite and other rooms that housed standardized patients to
Zoom rooms to collaborate with teammates. Faculty were able to join
Zoom rooms via the simulation management platform, CAELearning Space.
"There are many moving parts when it comes to coordinating
interprofessional simulation events," Ayers said. "The
faculty we work with are wonderful. They understand the
behind-the-scenes work the simulation team does, such as scheduling,
training and technology testing, which is essential for an event to
run smoothly."
Booth said students were getting updates and lab results in real-time
after conducting a home visit. All teams assessed the same case: a
senior patient who had been home for three days after being admitted
to the hospital for a day.
Michael Shoemaker, professor of physical therapy, said the simulation
allowed students to integrate their knowledge and skills to evaluate a
complex patient. However, Shoemaker and Booth agreed that
communication among the three academic disciplines was paramount in
this simulation.
"Events like these allow students to practice their basic team
skills and identify the unique and necessary contributions from each
discipline in providing outstanding team-based care," Shoemaker said.
Opportunities to participate in Juneteenth, Pride Month and the Black Boys and Men Symposium strengthen our commitment to an inclusive, welcoming atmosphere through our active efforts to create a sense of belonging.