Polypharmacy is a dilemma seen predominantly in older adult patients and patients with chronic, complex illnesses, with complicated medication regimens prescribed by multiple providers. Preventing medication errors and adverse drug reactions are a priority for patient safety, and medication reconciliation is an important step which requires interprofessional communication to ensure that all medication-related information is accurately and appropriately transferred during care transitions. Using a simulated patient case based on a real encounter, Medicine and Nursing students from Florida Atlantic University and Pharmacy students from Palm Beach Atlantic University were able to practice via an online platform their complementary roles to identify and resolve medication discrepancies. They also practiced how to effectively communicate and collaborate with each other to optimize patient health outcomes during transitions of care. This session evolved from a collaboration between medicine and pharmacy at two different institutions, and expanded to include Nursing this year. Overall student feedback after the session was positive. Medical students found that this session improved their confidence in identifying risk factors for polypharmacy, the impact that polypharmacy has on patients and how to identify a root cause for medication errors. Themes in the narrative evaluation revealed a better understanding of the roles of team members in polypharmacy and avoidance of errors. Reflections from Pharmacy students demonstrated the importance of communication and collaboration between healthcare team members and the patient to provide care that is safe and effective. Pharmacy students also highlighted the need for accountability in healthcare and that members serve each other at various checkpoints. This Lightning Talk aims to describe how two institutions with different health professions collaborated to implement and evaluate a synchronous online interprofessional learning session on the topic of polypharmacy and medication reconciliation. Lessons learned regarding the online platform utilized during the pandemic will also be discussed.
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.
As a Jointly Accredited Provider, the OICPD 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 OICPD 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.
Physicians: The National Center for Interprofessional Practice and Education designates this live activity for AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™.
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.
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
