Skip to main content

Interprofessional Medication Safety

Medication Safety: Interprofessional Teaching and Learning using Simulation

Funded by the HEA National Forum’s Strategic Alignment Fund (2020-2021)

Interprofessional teaching and learning can effect meaningful change in terms of preparedness for practice. In healthcare, medication error is the most common cause of preventable patient harm. Good teamwork among healthcare professionals is essential for safe medication use. At present  medical, nursing and pharmacy students do not learn together as undergraduates. The Department of General Practice in association with the Schools of Pharmacy and Nursing and Midwifery developed and evaluated a novel interprofessional teaching session using simulation.  Students adopted the roles of doctor, pharmacist and nurse to generate, review and dispense a patient's prescription as they would in real life.

The Department of General Practice in association with the Schools of Pharmacy and Nursing and Midwifery developed and evaluated a novel interprofessional teaching session for undergraduate medical, pharmacy and nursing students using high fidelity simulation in the ASSERT Centre. 

Team members:

  • Dr Elaine Walsh, School of Medicine
  • Dr Laura Sahm, School of Pharmacy
  • Professor Jonathan Drennan, School of Nursing and Midwifery
  • Dr Rob Gaffney, School of Medicine
  • Mr Simon Smith, School of Medicine, ASSERT Centre

Students adopted the roles of doctor, pharmacist and nurse to generate, review and dispense a patient's prescription as they would in real life.

Students completed questionnaires, participated in focus groups and were marked according to competencies in prescribing, dispensing and communication.

73% of students who took part in the study strongly agreed that it helped them establish the role of other healthcare professionals.

Study

Watch Now
Medication error is a major problem within the healthcare profession. It is in fact the most preventable cause of patient harm

Study

Watch Now
The teaching and learning session developed by General Practice at University College Cork can be easily replicated at your institution.

Dr Walsh

Watch Video
Good interprofessional communication skills are essential.

Dr Walsh

Watch Now

Should you need more information on the Medication Safety Interprofessional Education project, please get in contact with Dr Elaine Walsh at elaine.walsh@ucc.ie

Department of General Practice

An Roinn Leighis Teaghlaigh

Room 2.41 Western Gateway, T12 XF62

Top