On October 16th, over 270 students from medicine, pharmacy, social work and nursing programs came together to create 40 healthcare teams. These teams spent the afternoon caring for a simulated 38-year-old woman who presented to the emergency department of the local health-system with an ongoing headache and misuse of opioids. The interprofessional team initiated care for this patient, learning along the way what each profession brings to the healthcare team and how to interact successfully in a complex and large team.
“Witnessing the students build teams and interact without worrying about traditional boundaries or egos was refreshing and is exactly what is needed to combat the complexity of our current health care system,” said Dr. Timothy Brown, director of interprofessional education at the College of Pharmacy and the Augusta University/UGA Medical Partnership.
Once the patient received care in the ED, she then followed up in a primary care office and in a Medication Assisted Treatment Program. The student teams all participated in her journey, offering perspectives from their professions on each facet of care; by working together, they strengthened and optimized her care. Once the teams had created care plans for their patient, they debriefed in small groups to discuss the various team dynamics involving the 4 professions.
“This IPE Event experience has become essential to the professional development of our undergraduate and graduate social work students,” said Evonne Jones, practicum education coordinator at the School of Social Work. “From hospitals and clinics to schools and even public libraries, social workers can be found working on interprofessional teams in just about every facet of the human experience. So, this event provides our students a wonderful window into their futures.”
This annual event is the largest interprofessional event planned by the 4 programs and utilizes a virtual format so students from all over the state can participate. In addition to the students, 48 faculty members volunteered their time and expertise to facilitate the discussions and role model interprofessional teamwork and communication. All those involved have the one goal of preparing their students to be the best provider they can be as they enter practice after graduation.
“This event provided the students with essential competencies regarding interdisciplinary communication as they all move forward into their respective careers. In a training program, you get so immersed in your own discipline that it is sometimes important to take a step back and recognize the strengths and expertise of other disciplines and what they bring to the table,” said James Brinson, DNP, AGACNP-BC, DNP Concentration Coordinator at Augusta University College of Nursing.
Brown summed up the event’s success. “University of Georgia and Augusta University are committed to providing a solid foundation so future healthcare teams will be able to provide the best care possible for the citizens of our state.”
