The Teamwork Imperative The Power of Interdisciplinary Collaborations

The Teamwork Imperative: The Power of Interdisciplinary Collaborations J. Anna Looney, Ph. D Dept of Family Medicine & Community Health, UMDNJ-Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, NJ Abstract Patient Centered Medicine 1: Interdisciplinary Teamwork Jigsaw Even though multi-disciplinary healthcare teams 128 M 1 students will each shadow one have long been integral to patient care, medical provider to observe real time collaboration students can graduate with little direct experience for patients’ healing collaborating with other disciplines. RWJMS offers & recovery several opportunities for students to gain this ØNurses experience; viz. a required Interdisciplinary ØPhysician Assistants Teamwork Jigsaw & an elective six-week summer ØClinical Pharmacists community service program. Student feedback shows that these direct interactions build respect & ØCase Managers/Clinical Social Workers knowledge. ØPhysical/Occupational Therapists ØClergy/Pastoral Care Objectives During their M 1 year, provide students with direct contact through various opportunities: Ø To increase knowledge & awareness of disciplines involved in patient care; ØTo learn actively by exposure in clinical & community settings; ØTo observe how patients/clients benefit from skills & care from different providers; Jigsaw Educational Process: ØTo foster positive attitude toward teamwork & Presentation of concept & literature on interactive service that will extend into students’ careers. multi-disciplinary teams; Pre-test knowledge of different disciplines; Students sent out individually to shadow specific Selected Literature mentor for approx. 4 hrs; Small group discussions with others who v. Edmondson, AC (2003) “Speaking Up in the shadowed same type of provider; Operating Room: How Team Leaders Promote Final assembly into multi-disciplinary teams where Learning in Interdisciplinary Action Teams. ” J of students discuss complex case using their new Management Studies 40: 6 Sept. 1419 -1452. knowledge; v. O’Connell CB (2008) “Students Perceptions of a Community-Oriented Primary Care Program. ” J of Post-test to gauge increase in knowledge Summer SEARCH/ COPC Program An elective, interdisciplinary service learning opportunity for M 2, Physician Assistant & Social Work students to work full-time with RWJMS community partners for 6 weeks on an intensive project with underserved clients v Elijah’s Promise Soup Kitchen v. Eric B. Chandler FQHC v. Monmouth Family Health Center v. Damon House Residential Rehab v. Hyacinth HIV/AIDs Foundation v. Middlesex Co Jail Adult Substance Abuse Program v(& other partners) v. Community projects range from targeted health education sessions to program creation for underserved clients; v. Didactics, field trips & student activities build knowledge & bonds among students; v. Pre- and post-test data show increased understanding of COPC model, advocacy & satisfaction of serving underserved clients; Results/Discussion We continue to seek opportunities for interdisciplinary interactions Student feedback shows the powerful impact these experiences can make in raising awareness & opening students’ eyes to the value - & the imperative– of collaborative multi-disciplinary teams. Challenges include assuring experiences are relevant & positive, orienting students before they go into the field, & maintaining good communication with all parties throughout the session/program. Limitations include sustaining exposure & interest beyond M 1 & M 2 years, unanticipated demands & conditions that may impact community partners’ focus on mentoring students, & difficulty recruiting students from other healthcare disciplines. “I had the wonderful experience of working with a medical student in an interdisciplinary team, which allowed for us to put our minds together with our different educational backgrounds to work effectively on our project. The ability to be part of a team & work effectively with people from other disciplines will be crucial in my future career…” Physician Assistant Education. 19(4), 27 -31. v. Sevin C, Moore G, Sheppherd J, Jacobs T, Hupke C. (2009)”Transforming Care Teams to Provide the Best Possible patient-Centered, Collaborative Care. ” J Ambulatory Care Management. vol. 32, no. 1, pp 24 -31. v. Hackman, J. R. (2002) Leading Teams: Setting the Stage for Great Performances. Harvard Bus. School Publishing Co, Boston, MA. Contact Information: J. Anna Looney: looneyja@umdnj. edu Office: 732 235 -4200 Funding was provided by HRSA through our partner New Jersey Primary Care Association, RWJMS Office of Education, & The Boggs Center on Developmental Disabilities.