NONPF 39th Annual Meeting
Method: Through grant support, a large private university has brought SP characterization exercises focused on women’s health issues to life for Nurse Practitioner Students and foster transdisciplinary interaction with Physician Assistant Students, OB/GYN Residents, and Faculty. Six times per academic year, family nurse practitioner students in their women’s health component of the curriculum and/or women’s health nurse practitioner students rotate through 4-5 scenarios and interact with trained standardized patients. The cases range from simple care of vaginal infection or prenatal counseling to more complex scenarios addressing ectopic pregnancy or giving bad news. Each case includes prescribed learning objectives, secondary goals, critical actions, and supporting data such as laboratory or diagnostic imaging results. Prior to entering area in which an encounter takes place, students are afforded a few minutes to review limited information about the scenario. The student then enters the encounter to interact with the SP and other disciplines involved within the case. They are also afforded an opportunity to consult with an “attending” physician whom is played by a faculty member to present their respective findings and plan of care before outlining it formally to the SP.
Results: Over the past two years, over 50 NP students have participated in the low fidelity experience. To date, the utilization of this method of education has been received positive comments as it engages the student in active learning, assists in team building, generates creative thinking, and maximizes the delivery of quality care with attention to patient safety issues.
Implications: The success of the project has generated interest among all NP tracks to participate in transdisciplinary SP experiences and expand into high fidelity scenarios as well.
