Enhancing Care Transitions for Older People through Interprofessional Simulation: A Mixed Method Evaluation

Increased empathy towards older people and the limitations and difficulties they may face during the discharge process;

Greater understanding of the multidisciplinary team and the roles and difficulties faced by other professionals involved in the process of care transitions home;

The importance of good interprofessional collaboration across the professions and the sharing of information;

The factors that promote a successful care transition;

The personal and communication skills needed for working with older people with complex needs.

More empathetic approach: establishing a relationship with the patient early on and being person-centred and sensitive to older people’s needs

Increased involvement of patients and families in planning care transitions

Improved communication and interprofessional collaboration across the care settings

Ensure there is clarity about who is responsible for different roles and actions during care transitions and ensure that each health professional feels valued

Be more proactive: anticipate problems and have back-up plans

Educate colleagues about care transitions home e.g. ensure inclusion in junior staff induction

Reflect on what has worked in care transitions and what could have been improved

Apply their increased understanding of consent and mental capacity to care transitions

Apply their increased awareness of local processes for care transitions and documentation