An Online Approach to Interprofessional Education

Authors

E. Adel Herge, OTD, OTR/L, FAOTA, Department of Occupational Therapy, Thomas Jefferson UniversityFollow
Amber E. King, PharmD, BCPS, College of Pharmacy, Thomas Jefferson UniversityFollow

Abstract

Despite increasing interest in providing interprofessional education (IPE) opportunities for health profession students, the logistics of scheduling and integrating diverse curriculums remain challenging. Several models to address these potential barriers have been proposed and utilized (Blue et al, 2010). Faculty from three colleges within Thomas Jefferson University developed an asynchronous online interprofessional course as one solution to overcome logistical barriers to IPE.

Interprofessional Grand Rounds is offered to third year pharmacy students and second year occupational therapy (OT) students in the fall semester. The course utilizes a variety of learning activities to evaluate the influence of current public health and psychosocial issues on the United States healthcare system. The content is divided into modules which address current healthcare issues such as evidence-based decision making relative to patient preference and provider autonomy, the TeamSTEPPS® approach to optimizing patient safety by enhancing communication and team-work skills, technology use in healthcare and end of life care. In addition, first year students from the Department of Physical Therapy (PT) and College of Nursing join the course for one module on patient safety and error reduction.

Recommended Citation

Herge, OTD, OTR/L, FAOTA, E. Adel and King, PharmD, BCPS, Amber E. (2015) "An Online Approach to Interprofessional Education," Collaborative Healthcare: Interprofessional Practice, Education and Evaluation (JCIPE): Vol. 6: Iss. 2, Article 4.
Available at: https://jdc.jefferson.edu/jcipe/vol6/iss2/4