Interprofessional Skills Learning Guide: A Multimedia E-Book for Small-Group or Individual Learning

INTRODUCTION: Redefining learning space beyond physical classrooms with fixed resources is necessary to address challenges of interprofessional learning in a clinical setting. This multimedia e-book introduces recognized team skills of shared mental models, situational awareness, and the SBAR (situation, background, assessment, and recommendation) communication tool for individual or small-group learning. The e-book was derived from work done to develop an interprofessional small-group interactive learning tool for use in a clinical environment where resources, including meeting space, time, and facilitators, were limited. It is designed for individuals early in their clinical training but who have had previous clinical experience. METHODS: Utilizing readings, a series of videos, and reflective questions, a virtual narrator guides learners through an interactive case regarding a virtual chronic obstructive pulmonary disease patient preparing for discharge. RESULTS: Thirty-two responders evaluated the learning content as being clinically relevant. Comments encouraged all health care providers to become familiar with these interprofessional tools. DISCUSSION: Electronic, human, and space resources are often limited, especially in the clinical/education interface of the hospital or clinic environment for embedded interprofessional learning opportunities. The multimedia e-book provides a stand-alone learning resource for individuals or small groups of the same or different professions, with the opportunity for interactive learning with minimal space and human resource requirements.