Implementation and evaluation of a community-based interprofessional learning activity

Area of Science:

• Health Professions Education
• Interprofessional Learning
• Implementation Science

Background:

• Implementing large-scale interprofessional learning activities for pre-licensure students presents significant barriers.
• Novel approaches are necessary to ensure the success of such educational initiatives.

Purpose of the Study:

• To utilize the Ottawa Model of Research Use (OMRU) framework to create, improve, and sustain a community-based interprofessional learning activity.
• To evaluate student learning outcomes and program outcomes of the interprofessional activity.

Main Methods:

• Faculty at Case Western Reserve University applied the OMRU framework to guide the development of an interprofessional learning activity.
• Medical and nursing students participated in team-structured prevention screening clinics.
• Barriers and facilitators were identified, and the program underwent continual monitoring and improvement.

Main Results:

• The OMRU framework facilitated overcoming logistical issues, large class sizes, and diverse student skill levels, leading to sustainability.
• Continual monitoring resulted in three phases of improvement, establishing authentic team structures, role clarity, and relevance.
• Evaluation demonstrated statistically significant findings and qualitative themes in student learning outcomes.

Conclusions:

• The OMRU implementation model provided a useful framework for the successful creation of a sustainable interprofessional learning activity.
• This approach effectively addressed challenges in large-scale interprofessional education for pre-licensure health professions students.