The University of Kentucky (UK) has a long-standing partnership with Ecuador, beginning in 1965 building to the first short term experience in global health (StEGH) in 2002. In 2007 the Shoulder to Shoulder Health Clinic opened and remains supported through a UK and Ecuador partnership. The first StEGHs utilized uni-professional and then multidisciplinary co-located models of care, but this evolved over the years toward a collaborative model. Recently, to provide more comprehensive care, the Ecuadorian and UK partners implemented a pilot model at the clinic to triage complex patients to a break-out collaborative clinic.
Guided by cognitive apprenticeship theory, interprofessional teams of licensed health professionals and students from UK and Ecuador interacted with complex patients to develop a comprehensive integrated treatment care plan. Professionals utilized a think-aloud protocol as they worked through the diagnostic reasoning process to allow learners to better understand the diagnostic reasoning utilized by multiple professions. A non-clinician educator observed the encounter and provided feedback to the group guided by the IPEC Core Competencies for Interprofessional Education.
A mixed method retrospective pre and post design was used to assess the impact of the pilot on prelicensure learners (n=10). Results of a paired t-test using the ICCAS indicated that post scores (M = 6.405) as compared to pre scores (M=5.360) were significantly higher t (9) = 4.962, p < .001. Qualitative analysis of the open-responses suggested that the experience helped students understand patient-centered care; interprofessional communication; interprofessional roles, responsibilities, and scopes; an understanding of others’ diagnostic reasoning strategies; and an appreciation for the authentic clinical context. This is a sustainable educational model with the capacity to impact care delivery at this clinic and enhance the continuing partnership between UK and Ecuador. It demonstrates the potential that can be garnered through community partnerships in a global environment.
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.
