Buffalo, NY - A simple role playing exercise could be the key to better preparing future healthcare professionals for high-pressure clinical situations, according to new research led by Aimee Larson, DMSc, PA-C, clinical associate professor and program director of Physician Assistant Studies at Canisius University.
The study, published in the June 2025 edition of "Clinical Simulation in Nursing," examined 466 students across seven health professions and found that those who practiced healthcare communication through role playing exercises showed statistically significant improvements in confidence when using TeamSTEPPS (Team Strategies and Tools to Enhance Performance and Patient Safety). TeamSTEPPS is an evidence-based framework used nationwide to improve healthcare team performance and reduce medical errors through better communication.
"Our findings suggest that incorporating role playing into interprofessional education significantly enhances students' confidence using critical communication strategies before they ever reach the clinical environment," Larson says. "It demonstrates the value of experiential learning as we prepare students for the collaborative demands of modern healthcare."
Students who engaged in role playing before simulation scenarios showed the greatest confidence improvements in key TeamSTEPPS tools including SBAR (Situation, Background, Assessment, Recommendation), call-outs and the two-challenge rule. This research supports the growing emphasis on interprofessional education (IPE) and simulation-based training as essential components of health professions curricula.
Larson was a key contributor to both the design and implementation of the study, and worked alongside researchers from the University at Buffalo and Kaleida Health on the large-scale study.
The research directly reflects Canisius University's emphasis on simulation-based education and real-world clinical training. PA students train in a state-of-the-art simulation lab featuring advanced simulation mannequins, four fully equipped examination rooms with integrated audio/visual recording, and multiple Anatomage virtual anatomy tables. Students also participate in simulations at Sisters of Charity Hospital, training alongside real hospital staff and interprofessional teams during routine hospital operations.
"As program director of our PA Studies program, Dr. Larson continues to advocate for forward-thinking, evidence-based approaches to healthcare education," says Karl Kozlowski, PhD, associate dean for the School of Education & Human Services. "Her work reflects Canisius' commitment to academic excellence, innovation, and the development of collaborative, patient-centered healthcare professionals."
The complete study, "Preparing Future Healthcare Professionals: Role Play and Simulation in TeamSTEPPS Training," is available here.
The Physician Assistant Studies program at Canisius University maintains Accreditation-Continued status, as recognized by the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA). The program prepares students for advanced clinical practice with a strong focus on community engagement, ethical patient care, and leadership in diverse healthcare settings.
Canisius was founded in 1870 in Buffalo, NY, and is one of 27 Jesuit colleges and universities in the U.S. Consistently ranked among the top institutions in the Northeast, Canisius offers undergraduate, graduate and pre-professional programs distinguished by close student-faculty collaboration, mentoring and an emphasis on ethical, purpose-driven leadership.
