Use of SMART objectives in an interprofessional training event: screening for fall and osteoporosis risk

SMART objectives are a major component of health coaching and lifestyle medicine, however, there are limited studies describing their use in current health care curriculums. This study incorporated SMART objectives within an Interprofessional Education (IPE) event offered to students who were screening community-dwelling adults within their community for falls and osteoporosis risk. The purpose was to evaluate if students could confidently develop a SMART objective with their client that was relevant to the screening results.

Student participants were recruited from pharmacy, nursing, and physical therapy programs at Rutgers University. The IPE event consisted of an educational pre-session assignment, 2-h virtual training session, student-led home screening with a self-selected community volunteer, and a 2-h virtual educational and debriefing session. Students taught peers through interprofessional education on their respective discipline's screening assessment tools during each session. Based on the screening results, students collaborated with their clients to develop a SMART objective aimed at addressing an identified problem.

Post 3 yearly programs, 520 pharmacy, nursing, and DPT students completed the SMART objective, and 518 SMART objectives were analyzed. Analysis indicated all students were about 90 % confident in developing SMART objectives and 92 % confident in communicating with clients. Most students, regardless of discipline, felt comfortable developing a SMART objective and communicating with clients.

A significant number of people screened were found to have risk factors for falls or osteoporosis. Regardless of discipline, students worked with their client to develop appropriate SMART objectives. SMART objectives can enhance IPE programs, curriculums that include client counseling regarding lifestyle changes, and client engagement.