Addressing the Social Determinants of Health (SDOH) has been shown to improve patient outcomes while decreasing healthcare costs, both of which contribute to WHO’s Quadruple Aim. Interprofessional education (IPE) is a critical component in the learning process for healthcare professionals to be prepared to address clients’ unmet SDOH needs. The purpose of our project is to evaluate the effectiveness of using novel instructional methodologies to thread the SDOH domains and IPEC competencies throughout a large-scale IPE program. The IPE program, implemented annually, trains approximately 620 first-year students from 11 health professions. During fall semester, 48 teams participate in bi-weekly, facilitator-led sessions. Spring semester, students choose from diverse, IPE learning experiences (LE) to complete program-specific requirements. During spring 2021, a variety of instructional methods, in-person, online synchronous, and mixed, were intentionally chosen to thread SDOH and IPEC competencies throughout eight IPE LE’s: Cost of Poverty Experience, Medicaid Equity Simulation, Acute Care Simulations, Journal Club, SDOH Coffee Breaks, Workshops on Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, Human Trafficking, and Resilience & Trauma-Informed Care. LE effectiveness was assessed by students using a 5-question survey. The survey employed a 4-point Likert agreement scale to evaluate self-perceived improvements in knowledge and ability in applicable IPEC competencies. Inclusiveness of SDOH threads and effectiveness of teaching IPEC competencies within instructional methods was assessed in a crosswalk table. Collectively, the instructional methodologies threaded introductory knowledge about all SDOH domains. All eight LE included “HealthCare Access and Quality” and “Social and Community Context,” while “Neighborhood and Built Environment,” “Economic Stability,” and “Education Access and Quality” were incorporated in six, five, and four LE, respectively. Furthermore, over 90% of students agreed or strongly agreed instructional methodologies improved their knowledge and abilities in all IPEC competencies. This approach to designing IPE LE is effective in advancing student knowledge of SDOH and IPEC competencies.
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