Beyond shadowing: Active involvement of pre-health undergraduate students in patient- and family-centered rounds

An early introduction to interprofessional collaborative practice (IPCP) has many benefits for students. However, pre-health undergraduate (PHU) students have limited exposure to IPCP. Observing patient- and family-centered rounds (PFCR) offer a potential avenue for PHU students to learn about IPCP. This report describes a study wherein PHU students used the High-Value Care Rounding Tool (HVCRT) to collect observational data at Seattle Children's Hospital. Results were shared with a convenience sample of attending physicians (N = 17) from the observed care teams, who then completed a survey about their perceptions of the program. PHU students also participated in semi-structured interviews and surveys (N = 7). Observational data showed a low frequency of HVCRT topics discussed during PFCR (N = 53). Qualitative analysis of interview, survey, and observational data revealed 5 main themes: (1) PHU students provided tangible and actionable feedback on communication techniques for interprofessional teams, (2) PHU students observed PFCR from a family-like perspective, (3) PHU students' feedback was valued by attending physicians, (4) PHU students appreciated structured experiences for their future careers, and (5) PHU students had an engaging learning experience during PFCR. This program offered PHU students a structured shadowing experience and improved their understanding of IPCP, while also providing valuable feedback for health professionals.