496 CYSTIC FIBROSIS CAMP: AN EDUCATIONAL MODEL FOR A HEALTH CARE TEAM

Abstract

We believe that a camping experience is an ideal instructional model for the team concept of health care delivery. During our two week stay at a regular children's camp with 17 children with cystic fibrosis (CF), the team consisted of physicians, nurses, dieticians, pharmacists, pediatric residents and interns, physical therapists, and CF parents. The first benefit was the opportunity to live with chronically ill children and to understand the ramifications of providing all aspects of their care twenty-four hours each day. Each professional gained an enriched understanding of the demands placed on patient and parent in terms of time and of the emotional and physical stresses of complying with prescribed and extensive regimens of home treatment. The second benefit was that information and expertise were exchanged over a long period, allowing for a depth of interchange between disciplines not usually possible in a hospital setting. This was a particularly valued dividend for the pediatric interns and residents as well as for the pharmacy and dietetic residents included All members of the team realized the value of expanding the groups dimensions to include child psychologists and play therapists. Finally, since the group included a number of CF parents, the health team had the experience of seeing their directions and advice applied by nonprofessionals. As a consequence all members of the team realized anew the importance of communication between the team, the parents, and the CF children.