Instructional Insights: From Classroom to Community-Interprofessional Learning Through Fall Prevention Screening

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Public Health
• Occupational Therapy
• Physical Therapy Education

Background:

• Falls are a significant public health concern for older adults, leading to injury and decreased independence.
• Effective fall prevention requires interprofessional collaboration and community-based approaches.
• Experiential learning models can enhance healthcare professional education.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe an interprofessional, community-based fall prevention screening program for older adults.
• To evaluate the program's impact on occupational therapy and physical therapy doctoral students' understanding of collaboration and fall prevention.
• To integrate Kolb's Experiential Learning Theory and Interprofessional Education Collaborative (IPEC) competencies into practical training.

Main Methods:

• An interprofessional, community-based fall prevention screening program was developed.
• Entry-level occupational therapy and physical therapy doctoral students participated.
• The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) STEADI toolkit was utilized for assessments and education.
• Students collaborated with healthcare professionals to screen older adults, provide education, and offer recommendations.

Main Results:

• Students reported an enhanced understanding of interprofessional collaboration.
• Students demonstrated improved knowledge and application of fall prevention strategies.
• The program successfully connected academic learning with real-world clinical experience.

Conclusions:

• Experiential education, interprofessional teamwork, and community partnerships are vital for effective fall prevention programs.
• This model provides a framework for training future healthcare professionals in addressing falls among older adults.
• Community-based screening programs are crucial for promoting healthy aging and reducing fall-related morbidity.