Clinical Medical Emergency Team Training Simulation (CMETTS): An Interprofessional Simulation for Medical Students and Nursing Residents

Authors

• Allan John R. Barcena, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer CenterFollow
• Marvin Bernardino, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer CenterFollow
• Dominic Karl Bolinas, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer CenterFollow
• Kitz Paul Marco, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer CenterFollow
• Toni Edwards, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer CenterFollow
• Shelita Kimble, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer CenterFollow
• James Cavalier, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer CenterFollow
• Marites Melancon, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer CenterFollow
• Jillian Gunther, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer CenterFollow

Document Type

Brief Report

Abstract

Effective teamwork and communication are critical during medical emergencies, particularly in oncology, yet health care  professionals are often trained separately, creating challenges for interprofessional collaboration. Evidence-based frameworks like Team Strategies and Tools to Enhance Performance and Patient Safety (TeamSTEPPS) offer structured tools to optimize team performance. This study describes a simulation-based program, the Clinical Medical Emergency Team Training Simulation (CMETTS), designed to instill foundational teamwork skills in early-stage learners. First-year medical students and newly graduated nursing residents participated in an interprofessional simulation involving medical emergency scenarios followed by structured debriefing sessions guided by TeamSTEPPS principles. We evaluated the program’s effectiveness using pre- and postsimulation surveys assessing self-reported knowledge, confidence, and overall satisfaction with the training. A total of 110 trainees (21 medical students, 89 nursing residents) completed the evaluation. The simulation was exceptionally well-received, with more than 95% of participants from both groups rating the experience positively and agreeing they would recommend it to colleagues. After the simulation, there were statistically significant increases in both self-reported knowledge (P  < .001) and confidence (P < .001) for all participants. While nursing residents demonstrated higher baseline scores, both groups showed significant individual learning gains, indicating the program’s value for learners at different professional stages. The CMETTS program is an effective educational intervention for introducing foundational teamwork and communication skills to early-stage medical and nursing trainees. By providing a safe, realistic environment for practicing interprofessional collaboration, this simulation helps prepare future health care  professionals for the demands of team-based care and ultimately aims to enhance patient safety.

Grants and Funding

This research was funded by the National Institutes of Health—National Cancer Institute (R25 CA265800-01A1). 

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-Share Alike 4.0 International License.

Recommended Citation

Barcena AR, Bernardino M, Bolinas D, Marco K, Edwards T, Kimble S, Cavalier J, Melancon M, Gunther J. Clinical Medical Emergency Team Training Simulation (CMETTS): An Interprofessional Simulation for Medical Students and Nursing Residents. Advances in Cancer Education and Quality Improvement. 2026; 2(1).