Interprofessional education: learning through teamwork

On October 16, over 270 students from Augusta University/University of Georgia Medical Partnership, the UGA College of Pharmacy, the UGA School of Social Work, and the Augusta University College of Nursing came together to create 40 healthcare teams for a virtual interprofessional event (IPE). These teams spent the afternoon working on a simulated case of a 38-year-old woman who presented an ongoing headache and misuse of opioids. The interprofessional teams initiated care for the patient by learning how to interact with each other and determining their roles within the team, which is the main goal of IPE.

“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 healthcare system,” said Timothy Brown, director of interprofessional education at the College of Pharmacy and the Medical Partnership.

The teams all participated in the patient’s 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 the patient, they debriefed in small groups to discuss the various team dynamics involving the four 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 IPE event planned by the four programs and utilizes the virtual format so students from all over the state can participate. In addition to the students, 48 faculty members volunteered their expertise to facilitate the discussions and display interprofessional teamwork and communication. All those involved aim to prepare their students to be the best providers they can be as they enter practice after graduation.

“This event provided the students with essential competencies regarding interprofessional communication. 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: “The 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.”