Interprofessional Teaching Clinic Consult Service: Successes During a Pandemic

Just prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, faculty and students at Pennsylvania State university had begun piloting an Interprofessional Teaching Clinic (IPTC) Consult Service. On account of the pandemic, the IPTC abruptly transitioned from in-person encounters to operating remotely using a telehealth model. Patients “seen” at the IPTC are referred by their primary care physicians (PCP) due to belief that these patients would benefit from an interprofessional consultation. As with in-person visits, telehealth visits begin with a pre-brief between students and faculty for teaching purposes as well as to discuss the flow of the upcoming patient encounter. When patients join the visit, students gather information regarding health history and address concerns from profession-specific perspectives. Students and faculty then move to a breakout room briefly for additional teaching and to formulate a set of recommendations before rejoining the patient. Once back with the patient, students relay general ideas that the team discussed and indicate that specific recommendations will be communicated to the PCP. After the patient encounter concludes, students jointly craft a note that is sent to the referring physician detailing the encounter and recommendations.To date, 13 clinics have been “staffed” by 154 participants (87 students; 67 faculty/staff), with an average of 11 participants at each session. Professions represented include students from medicine, nursing, dietitian, occupational therapy, pharmacy, physical therapy, physician assistant, and social work programs. The IPTCs have generated 126 recommendations for PCPs. Student responses to the Interprofessional Collaborative Competency Attainment Survey yielded significant changes in pre- versus post-session responses, and students’ narrative feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. Semi-structured interviews with primary care providers have revealed enthusiastic endorsement of the IPTC concept, incorporation of recommendations in patient care plans, and positive experiences by patients.