(74) Elevating Health Equity: An Innovative IPE Poverty Simulation Experience

Health disparities significantly affect individuals living in poverty, often exacerbated by healthcare professionals' limited understanding of social determinants of health. The simulation-enhanced interprofessional education (Sim-IPE) Poverty Simulation aims to enhance empathy and understanding among healthcare college members and community partners through a realistic, scenario-based learning experience that reflects the complexities of poverty and health disparities. Simulation is an evidence-based teaching strategy that engages learners. This project seeks to innovatively use simulation to address knowledge gaps, promote interprofessional collaboration, and develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills, ultimately preparing future healthcare professionals to tackle the challenges of health disparities and advance health equity.

The Sim-IPE is underpinned by the Social Determinants of Health framework and the Interprofessional Education Collaborative Core Competencies. Our previous pilot simulation established the feasibility of this activity. The Sim-IPE engages participants in realistic activities reflecting the complexities of poverty and the health disparities experienced by vulnerable populations. The Sim-IPE aims to enhance empathy, communication, teamwork, and problem-solving skills among participants.

Our target population will include 50 faculty, staff, students from our healthcare college, and community partners. The results of our pilot successfully demonstrated learner engagement and overall satisfaction. Building on our prior work, we anticipate that the Sim-IPE, to be implemented in the Spring of 2025, will be equally or more impactful. We will evaluate empathy, IPE, and the simulation’s effectiveness. Results will be ready by the conference. The implications of this work will inform future health equity initiatives and improve health outcomes.