For the fifth year in a row, UAB’s Departments of Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy hosted the OT/PT Outside Hospital Simulation - a dynamic, hands-on learning experience that mirrors the fast-paced reality of hospital care.
Students practice patient transfer techniques in the General Medicine simulation.
Students navigated a high-fidelity environment equipped with ICU monitors, electronic health records, and medical devices like IVs, oxygen carts, and catheters. First-year students acted as patients, while second-year students assumed the role of therapists, responding to real-time scenarios that challenged their critical thinking and clinical skills.
“This experience gives them realistic problems to work through,” said Valley McCurry, Ph.D., MBA, OTR/L, FAOTA, assistant professor of occupational therapy. “They get to show how they assess, prioritize, and communicate in a hospital setting.”
The ungraded format encouraged risk-taking and reflection. After the simulation, students participated in a structured debriefing to discuss what they learned and how they performed under pressure.
One standout takeaway: nearly all participants said they learned something new from the opposite discipline. “They don’t just collaborate - they come away with a deeper understanding of each other’s roles,” said Tara Pearce, PT, DHS, associate professor of physical therapy and director of Clinical Education for the PT department.
For Jade Barfield, an occupational therapy student, the simulation highlighted the value of teamwork in acute care. “I learned that co-treating is great and in an acute setting that can be the most efficient way to get treatment in for the client,” she said.
Physical therapy student Lilly Brown said the experience provided a deeper appreciation for occupational therapy’s role in the hospital setting. “We developed a wonderful flow by the end of the day and made a great team,” Brown said of working alongside her OT partner.
Funded by a UAB School of Health Professions Education Innovation Grant, the simulation was developed according to national standards for health care education. Now an annual event, it’s quickly becoming a signature experience that prepares UAB students for the challenges of real-world clinical practice, together.
Students provide patient assessments and care during an Emergency Department simulation. 
Students practice patient mobility and rehabilitation techniques during a General Medicine Unit simulation. 
Students collaborate in a Behavioral Care Unit simulation designed to mirror real-world patient care settings.
