This Lightning Talk describes how in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 14th annual Pandemic Interprofessional Education (IPE) exercise was refocused from an in-person session about an imaginary statewide influenza pandemic; to an online synchronous platform, with students learning from each other and experts about the necessity of interprofessional collaboration. The talk will address the conference theme of Person, Family, and Community-Engaged Practice and Education, as this exercise focused on the importance of health professionals engaging with the community in response to a public health emergency.
The objectives of the exercise are to a) engage an interprofessional panel of COVID-19 experts, b) identify the responsibilities of diverse professionals in a public health emergency, and c) address teamwork challenges in a system-wide response to COVID-19. The original Pandemic Flu IPE included students from the UArizona Colleges of Medicine, Nursing, Public Health, and Pharmacy. In 2020, students from 11 professions participated in the exercise. Panelists represented clinicians, epidemiologists, politicians, a member from the University Incident Command Center, an emergency medicine pharmacist, and the Director of the County Health Department. Students engaged with the panelists and participated in small group discussions surrounding the following topics: all-hazards preparedness, work environment, roles and responsibilities of diverse professionals, COVID-19 testing, public policy, and the importance of coordination and teamwork.
Outcomes:
In 2020, 508 students completed the post-exercise survey (88% response rate). In 2021, 625 completed the post-exercise survey (95% response rate). The small group discussions influenced student opinions about prioritizing patients for treatments and reporting to work more than self-isolation and quarantine. Students’ understanding of the roles other professions play in a disease pandemic increased. Overall, the students rated the exercise positively.
In support of improving patient care, this activity is planned and implemented by The National Center for Interprofessional Practice and Education Office of Interprofessional Continuing Professional Development (OICPD). The OICPD 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.
The National Center OICPD is approved by the Board of Certification, Inc. to provide continuing education to Athletic Trainers (ATs). This program is eligible for Category A hours/CEUs. ATs should claim only those hours actually spent in the educational program.
This activity was planned by and for the healthcare team, and learners will receive Interprofessional Continuing Education (IPCE) credit for learning and change.
Physicians: The National Center for Interprofessional Practice and Education designates this live activity for AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with their participation.
Physician Assistants: The American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA) accepts credit from organizations accredited by the ACCME.
Nurses: Participants will be awarded contact hours of credit for attendance at this workshop.
Nurse Practitioners: The American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Program (AANPCP) accepts credit from organizations accredited by the ACCME and ANCC.
Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians: This activity is approved for contact hours.
Athletic Trainers: This program is eligible for Category A hours/CEUs. ATs should claim only those hours actually spent in the educational program.
Social Workers: As a Jointly Accredited Organization, 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.
IPCE: This activity was planned by and for the healthcare team, and learners will receive Interprofessional Continuing Education (IPCE) credits for learning and change.
