Enhancing interprofessional education: integrating public health and social work perspectives

Am J Public Health. 2015 Mar;105 Suppl 1(Suppl 1):S106-8. doi: 10.2105/AJPH.2014.302502.

Abstract

National stakeholders in health system improvement and patient safety including accreditation bodies have requested health professional educational programs to include multiple interprofessional experiences through didactic and experiential opportunities. Clinical and population health faculty at the University of South Carolina redesigned and expanded an introductory interprofessional course to include more than 500 students from public health, social work, medicine, pharmacy, and nursing. Students participated in 3 live class meetings and completed required online coursework to explore concepts related to social determinants of health and health disparities, health system improvement, patient safety, cultural competency, and ethics to address interprofessional education core competencies. Course modifications and expanded student enrollment improved understanding of key health concepts and appreciation of interprofessional collaboration.

MeSH terms

  • Competency-Based Education
  • Computer-Assisted Instruction
  • Cooperative Behavior
  • Curriculum*
  • Education, Public Health Professional*
  • Health Occupations / education*
  • Humans
  • Interdisciplinary Communication*
  • Social Work / education*
  • South Carolina