Use of a warm handoff interprofessional simulation to model asynchronous and patient-centered teamwork

An interprofessional education simulation in an outpatient clinic setting was utilized to allow pharmacy and social work students to practice the warm handoff communication technique. This event included 157 pharmacy and social work students. The primary objective of this encounter was for the learner to better understand the role of the partnering profession and demonstrate an appropriate warm handoff. The simulation included pre-event didactic education, performance of a warm handoff, and faculty-led debriefing. A novel warm handoff evaluation checklist was created to evaluate the performance of the students using the warm handoff communication technique. Students successfully initiated the warm handoff and demonstrated patient engagement by asking permission and using introductions. However, students did not perform as well with the more complex skills of communicating the patient's background, situation, and assessment to their colleagues. Students were asked to complete an anonymous, pre- and post-questionnaire to assess the impact and value of the interprofessional simulation and the likelihood that they would refer a patient to the partnering profession in the future. The post-questionnaire was evaluated both quantitatively and qualitatively using a content analysis of the open-ended questions. The quantitative analysis showed that students valued the simulation and the opportunity to practice and would use the skills gained in the future. The results also revealed an increased likelihood that students would refer patients to the partnering profession post-simulation. The content analysis of the open-ended question asking the learners what they thought was valuable about the simulation demonstrated that students value communicating with another healthcare team member with the patient in the room, learning about the role of other healthcare professionals, and practicing the warm handoff communication tool. Overall, this simulation was shown to be an effective activity to promote interprofessional care between pharmacy and social work students and to practice a warm handoff that promotes integrated patient care in outpatient healthcare settings.