How to Prepare Interprofessional Teams in Two Weeks: An Innovative Education Program Nested in Telehealth

Preparing health professional students for interprofessional collaborative practice, especially at a distance where provider shortages prevail remains difficult.

A two-week interprofessional education (IPE) immersion experience preparing students from 11 disciplines and four universities was implemented. Week-one, using online technology, students develop/present an interprofessional careplan for a complex patient. Students then meet face-to-face to conduct group interviews with two standardized patient dyads. Week-two, students develop a website for use of the patient dyads. Websites are presented to faculty and fellow students via an online virtual meeting space.

To date, 594 students have participated demonstrating capacity to: 1.effectively engage in interprofessional care,  2. utilize Telehealth to impact care and break down barriers of isolation, and 3. implement skills to advance healthcare.

IPE combined with Telehealth technology provides future providers with knowledge and skills for interprofessional care regardless of geographic barriers. Next Step: Integrate more technology using mobile devices and enhance the evaluation process.