Ten Lessons Learned in the Implementation of Mobile, Community-Based Interprofessional Clinics

Area of Science:

• Health Professions Education
• Interprofessional Practice
• Geriatric Care

Background:

• Health profession programs require interprofessional activities for practice readiness.
• Need identified for interprofessional education in nursing, pharmacy, social work, and dietetics curricula.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a community-based interprofessional clinic for older adults.
• To provide meaningful learning experiences for health profession students.
• To address the healthcare needs of the geriatric population.

Main Methods:

• Collaboration with a local medical school.
• Development of a mobile, community-based clinic model.
• Integration of interprofessional education into existing curricula.

Main Results:

• Successful implementation of a mobile interprofessional clinic.
• Provided care and education to older adults.
• Generated valuable learning opportunities for students across disciplines.

Conclusions:

• Interprofessional clinics offer a viable model for student training and community service.
• Lessons learned from development and implementation can inform future initiatives.
• Addresses the critical need for interprofessional collaboration in healthcare settings.