Whole Person Health: Using Experiential Learning and the ICF Model as a Tool for Introductory Interprofessional...

Area of Science:

• Health Professions Education
• Interprofessional Learning
• Disability Studies

Background:

• The International Classification of Functioning (ICF) model is crucial for defining and measuring health and disability.
• Current uniprofessional training models limit comprehensive understanding of patient care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To transition a uniprofessional learning experience to an interprofessional, experiential model centered on the ICF.
• To assess the impact of interprofessional education on student understanding of holistic care and collaboration.

Main Methods:

• Developed an interprofessional education program for Physical Therapy, Physician Assistant, and Pharmacy students.
• Student teams conducted interviews and environmental assessments with community mentors.
• Utilized pre- and post-experience electronic surveys with inductive thematic analysis for data coding.

Main Results:

• Emergent themes included understanding other professions' scope of practice, patient health experiences, holistic care, and team effectiveness.
• The learning experience aligned with all four Interprofessional Education Collaborative (IPEC) competencies.
• Data indicated the program successfully met interprofessional educational requirements.

Conclusions:

• Student teams enhanced their comprehension of patient health journeys and the value of interprofessional knowledge.
• The ICF model facilitated a more holistic perspective on patient care and fostered appreciation for diverse professional roles.
• The experiential learning improved students' understanding and appreciation of other disciplines.