Health care professionals’ education is available using technology that allows learning to occur virtually. In the online environment, learners may not live in the same location, which is challenging for interprofessional education. As an academic health science center that includes five colleges, three of our colleges offer graduate and undergraduate programs 100% online. To meet accreditation standards with online education, innovation is key. In order to meet the needs of online programs, an interprofessional team representing four colleges led the development of an innovative online interprofessional education program. The team modified and expanded our on-ground program to provide a completely online learning experience using a learning management platform. The program consisted of four modules which addressed the four IPE competencies: teams and teamwork, roles and responsibilities, communication, and values and ethics. The on-line IPE curriculum provided didactic, experiential and simulated clinical learning opportunities. Each of the four modules included nonclinical small group interactions and a clinical case study using interaction with a standardized patient/family/community agency through the discussion board. The didactic and experiential material allowed students to acquire knowledge and experience for each competency while case studies (patient/family or community) used simulation as students applied the knowledge gained. Interprofessional groups were formed with students representing 2-3 different health care professional programs and with a faculty facilitator from one of the five health science colleges. The didactic component with videos and slides was independent learning, the experiential learning was interactive and engaged students to get to know each other in a fun non-threatening way through the discussion board. Finally, faculty facilitators provided debriefing and feedback to the students, both on individual and team-based work.
Disclosures:
In accordance with the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education’s Standards for Commercial Support, adopted by the Joint Accreditors for Interprofessional Continuing Education, the National Center for Interprofessional Practice and Education has a conflict of interest policy that requires that all individuals involved in the development of activity content disclose their relevant financial relationships with commercial interests. All potential conflicts of interest that arise based upon these financial relationships are resolved prior to the educational activity.
Alicia Williams, Kristen McHenry, Anita Airee, Paula Miksa, Kate Kiser, Jennifer Savage, Kellee Harper-Hanigan, Sherry Jimenez, Veronica Young, John Luk, Barbara Jones, Kenny Nguyen, Michael Akwari
declare no vested interest in or affiliation with any commercial interest offering financial support for this interprofessional continuing education activity, or any affiliation with a commercial interest whose philosophy could potentially bias their presentation.
In support of improving patient care, this activity is planned and implemented by The National Center for Interprofessional Practice and Education. The National Center for Interprofessional Practice and Education is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.
As a Jointly Accredited Provider, the National Center is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved under this program. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. The National Center maintains responsibility for this course. Social workers completing this course receive continuing education credits.
This activity was planned by and for the healthcare team, and learners will receive Interprofessional Continuing Education (IPCE) credit for learning and change.
