Improving Health Care Collaboration and Communication: Integration of Inter-professional Education Opportunities for Undergraduate Students

Main Article Content

Heather L Vilvens
Carla Henderson
Brenda Maloney
Tiffany Roman
Deborah Trotta

Abstract

It is estimated that five million patients are harmed annually due to preventable errors. Without proper communication among health care professionals these patients can be seriously injured (IOM, 2015). One approach to increasing communication, maximizing collaboration, and decreasing the risk of medical errors is to introduce Interprofessional Education (IPE) to students in health care related programs. IPE and collaboration occurs when “two or more professions learn about, from, and with each other to enable effective collaboration and improve health outcomes” (World Health Organization [WHO], 2010).   In 2014, University of Cincinnati (UC) Blue Ash College faculty members from six undergraduate programs created a steering committee looking at opportunities to complement students’ educational experience. The faculty members from Emergency Medical Services, Medical Assisting, Nursing, Pre-Health Education, Radiologic Technology, and Social Work investigated opportunities on how to bring together students to explore communication, collaboration, teamwork, and critical thinking skills in an interactive, hands-on approach. The committee offered a simulation-based, hands-on, day-long experience. In addition to developing an IPE simulation day for students, the committee developed an elective College course to explore philosophical and theoretical foundations of various health professions. Interprofessional learning experiences will assist with the preparation of competent and collaborative future health care professionals and encourage team-based care of patients that will ultimately result in improved patient outcomes.  

Article Details

Section
Articles
Author Biography

Heather L Vilvens, University of Cincinnati Blue Ash College

Assistant Professor, Allied Health Dept.

References

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