Advancing health science, clinical care, and health system research is essential for healthcare effectiveness and efficiency. Health research includes bench/lab science, clinical science, community-based science, population science, implementation science, translational science, etc. Our interprofessional curriculum incorporates all students, healthcare professions and graduate school scientific disciplines, to consider health influencers and their impact from bench to bedside to breadth of population health. We incorporate activities inclusive of basic science disciplines and create opportunity to increase understanding of the influence of scientific advancement on direct patient care/health system outcomes and innovative collaboration where healthcare providers bring needs back to the “bench” for new treatment strategies that enhance health care efficacy.
In keeping with the theme “Preparing Students for Interprofessional Collaborative Practice,” we deliver an interprofessional simulation to increase knowledge of research funding and foster skills needed for research advocacy. The scenario is for an interprofessional group of health scientists and healthcare professionals to work as an advocacy team meeting with a national Senate member to argue for no cuts, and potentially increases, in NIH funding. This supports NEXUS priority “Identification and addressing of factors beyond clinical care that affect the health of individuals, communities and populations.”
Learning objectives: 1) Formulate strategies with an interprofessional team to argue against NIH funding cuts, 2) Apply formulated strategies when communicating with a member of the public that does not have a scientific/medical background, and 3) Recognize the contribution of scientific research to clinical care/patient outcomes/population health.
The 75-minute simulation consists of orientation (simulation learning, Quadruple Aim, IPEC domains, patient-/family-centered care, case scenario), 15-min team planning, 10-min interaction with simulated Senator, and debriefing. Students complete background reading (beginner’s guide to science advocacy, NIH funding) and receive a voting record to tailor talking points. Student assessment includes the Interprofessional Collaborative Competency Assessment Survey (ICCAS) and perceptions of simulation format, delivery and SP interaction.
98 students (health professions, medicine, nursing, public health, graduate school) participated. ICCAS metrics increased pre-post, range 2.6-12.4%. Mean scores (3.9-4.6, out of 5) indicate students perceive the simulation successfully immerses learners in concepts for intersection of science and health and developing collaborative team skills to advocate effectively. Comments for most valuable aspects: “Hearing perspectives that were directly correlated to how people actually perceptualize funding for science from outside of the science community.” “I thought making advocacy a discussion was very helpful as opposed to a lecture. It was fun to actively participate and learn.”
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 (National Center OICPD). The National Center 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.
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.
The National Center OICPD (JA#: 4008105) is approved by the Board of Certification, Inc. to provide continuing education to Athletic Trainers (ATs).
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.
Learners can claim CE credit by completing the Daily Evaluation.
