Making the familiar extraordinary: Using a communication perspective to explore team based simulation as part of interprofessional education

Abstract

This short report describes the qualitative analysis of a simulation exercise that was part of a larger interprofessional education curriculum designed to promote interprofessional collaboration within an acute care hospital. The purpose of this study was to explore the utility of a communication perspective as an analytic tool to support the intended learning outcomes of the interprofessional education initiative. In particular, the Coordinated Management of Meaning model was used as an exemplar of a pragmatic communication perspective. This study supports the need for scholars, practitioners, and educators to critically reflect on what we are making within our interprofessional education initiatives. The Coordinated Management of Meaning model provides a useful analytic frame to shape that reflection.