Comparison of an In-Person versus Virtual Interprofessional Escape Room and Simulation Experience for Pharmacy, Nursing and Physical Therapy Students

Introduction: The COVID-19 pandemic has forced health professions programs to deliver educational content virtually, including interprofessional education (IPE). Data are lacking comparing educational outcomes and students' attitudes toward virtual versus in-person IPE. Research Question or Hypothesis: Will virtual interprofessional (IP) escape room/simulation experiences impact students' IP socialization and knowledge similar to equivalent in-person experiences? Study Design: Pre-posttest quasi-experimental design. Method(s): IP student teams (pharmacy, nursing, physical therapy) completed an in-person or virtual escape room/simulated case conference experience. Escape room themes were sepsis and joint precautions following hip replacement surgery. In the case conference, students collaboratively developed an IP discharge care plan for a patient after hip replacement complicated by post-operative sepsis. Before and after the learning experience, students completed a knowledge test and a validated pre-post survey assessing IP socialization (Interprofessional Socialization and Valuing Scale-21;ISVS-21). At post, students completed a program evaluation. Data were compared using two-way repeated measures ANOVA using SPSS v26 with alpha=0.05. Result(s): ISVS-21 scores increased for both in-person (n=262) and virtual (n=210) experiences. Pre-experience scores were statistically but not meaningfully different between groups [5.1(0.9) in-person;5.5 (0.9) virtual;p<0.05]. ISVS-21 mean change scores differed slightly between groups [0.9(1.3) in-person;0.5(0.8) virtual;p<0.05;Cohen's d=0.40]. Pre-test knowledge scores were not different [6.7(1.8) inperson;6.6(1.6) virtual;p=0.4], however mean change scores differed modestly between groups [0.7(1.4) in-person;0.1(1.8) virtual;p<0.05;Cohen's d=0.39]. Both in-person and virtual experiences were rated highly per the program evaluation. Conclusion(s): Differences between in-person versus virtual IPE escape room/simulated case conference experiences for pharmacy, nursing and physical therapy students were present but minor. Virtual IPE may offer a comparable alternative to in-person IPE and could be an acceptable option for programs encountering financial or logistical barriers to implementing effective in-person IPE..

COVID-19 and Post-intensive Care Syndrome: Community-Based Care for ICU Survivors

Survivors of critical illness, including those with COVID-19, are likely to experience post-intensive care syndrome (PICS). PICS involves a constellation of physical, cognitive, and mental health problems that can occur following hospitalization in an intensive care unit (ICU). This focused review describes the impact of PICS on an individual’s function, societal participation, and family. Specific evidence-based screening tools for in-home identification of the deficits associated with PICS are recommended. Recognition of PICS through early screening by home health care providers is crucial in order to assemble the physical rehabilitation, mental health, and community resources needed to mitigate the long-term effects of COVID-19 and other critical illnesses. This review concludes with further PICS resources for community-based providers to enhance their knowledge and expertise and to prepare them for caring for COVID-19 and other critical illness survivors. © The Author(s) 2020.