Simulation Brings Together Chaplaincy and Healthcare Students for Team-Based Care
Students from the Community Transformation and Chaplaincy (CTC) programs (MDiv and MA), along with peers from Nursing (undergraduate and graduate), Pharmacy, Counseling, and Physician Assistant (PA) programs, recently participated in an interprofessional education (IPE) simulation. In interdisciplinary teams, students worked together to assess a standardized patient—played by a trained actor—and created a care plan addressing the patient’s physical, psychological, and spiritual needs.
The simulation included both in-person and telehealth formats, giving students opportunities to practice collaborative care in a range of settings. Each session concluded with a guided debrief led by faculty or staff, where students reflected on their roles and team dynamics.
“IPE simulations are a requirement in most healthcare degree programs, but this is a new endeavor for chaplaincy students,” said Emma Feyas, Associate Director of the Community Transformation and Chaplaincy program. “We don’t always know how we will react in a crisis, so allowing students exposure to stressful situations and complex cases in a safe and controlled environment reveals strengths and opportunities for growth as they continue their chaplaincy training.”
Dr. Ryan Gladwin, Director of the CTC program, and Emma Feyas, along with representatives from the other participating departments, have submitted an article for publication about the simulation’s design and outcomes. Physician Assistant students, while not yet participating directly in the simulation, are expected to be more actively involved in future sessions.
