Building Interprofessional Cultural Competency: Using Simulation and Improvisation to Address Intergenerational Issues in Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Families

University of Nebraska Medical Center

Background: Health equity and cultural competency training is a priority within health professions. The use of improvisation and simulation can promote engagement, active participation, and the practical application of cultural competency principles in real-world scenarios. Aims: We aimed to create a safe environment for interprofessional learners to navigate conflictual cultural scenarios during clinical encounters using improvisation and simulation. Methods: Two 1.5-hour webinars were conducted. In Part I, learners observed a live skit portraying an AAPI teenager with first break psychosis in the ED with his parents, including private conversations within the family and a clinical interview with the ED physician. Participants then debriefed in groups using the PEARL model. A panel discussion covered strategies in culturally responsive care and the role of simulation-based education in cultural competency training. In Part II, learners participated in an improv activity exploring their own cultural identity and reviewed the recorded skit from Part I. Subsequently, they improvised being a healthcare provider either during an outpatient follow-up appointment with the teenager or in the inpatient psychiatric ward counseling the parents on his diagnosis and recommending treatment. Results: Part I of the webinar was attended by 15 people and Part II by 8, with a response rate of 53%. Majority were female (91.6%) and 25-34 years-old (50%). Professions included Counseling (41.7%), Medicine (33.4), Social Work (8.3%) and Education (8.3%). Majority reported that the length was just right (90%) and 75% strongly agreed that it should be part of a health professions curriculum on cultural competency. Attendees agreed that they could better identify culturally competent conflict responses (83.3%) and issues related to caring for AAPI patients and their families (83.3%). Discussion: The webinars using simulation and improv provided an informative and supportive environment to explore topics in interprofessional cultural competency. This pilot suggests potential for future development.