A Structured Curriculum for Interprofessional Training of Emergency Medicine Interns.

Ashley Rider,Tiffany Anaebere,Mariko Nomura,David Duong,Charlotte Wills

doi:10.5811/westjem.2019.11.44139

Abstract

Interprofessional education (IPE) has been shown to improve health outcomes and patient satisfaction. IPE is now represented in the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education’s emergency medicine (EM) milestones given the team-based nature of EM. The Highland Allied Health Rotation Program (H-AHRP) was developed by residents to enhance and standardize IPE for EM residents in a single hospital setting. H-AHRP was incorporated into the orientation month for interns starting in the summer of 2016. EM interns were paired with emergency department preceptors in registered nursing (RN), respiratory therapy (RT), pharmacy (PH), laboratory (LAB), and social work (SW) in either a four-hour shadowing experience (RN, RT, PH) or lecture-based overview (LAB, SW). We conducted a survey before and after the program. Overall, the EM interns reported an improved understanding of the scope of practice and day-to-day logistics after working with the preceptors. They found the program helpful to their future as physicians and would recommend it to other residencies. The H-AHRP program allows for the early incorporation of IPE into EM training, enhances interns’ understanding of both the scope and logistics of their colleagues, and is a well-received effort at improving team-based care.

Highlights

Almost 20 years ago, the Institute of Medicine issued a report drawing attention to the high rate of preventable healthcare errors, many of which may have been influenced by ineffective teamwork.[1]
CURRICULAR DESIGN At Highland Hospital the first month of intern year serves as an orientation to the emergency department (ED) during which interns participate in ED shifts, lectures, and workshops
IMPACT/EFFECTIVENESS Health Rotation Program (H-AHRP) was designed and implemented to fill a need for improved Interprofessional education (IPE) early on in emergency medicine (EM) training. After participating in this program, interns showed an overall trend toward increased understanding of the scope of practice and logistics for each professional group

Summary

BACKGROUND

Almost 20 years ago, the Institute of Medicine ( the National Academy of Medicine) issued a report drawing attention to the high rate of preventable healthcare errors, many of which may have been influenced by ineffective teamwork.[1] The increased awareness prompted numerous studies demonstrating how interprofessional teams can positively impact patient satisfaction, acceptance of care, and improve health outcomes.[2]. Interprofessional education (IPE) is represented in the competencies for emergency medicine (EM) training.[3] The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education and the American Board of Emergency Medicine developed the EM milestones, which include skills such as effective communication and teamwork, yet formal interprofessional education is often lacking. The Highland Allied Health Rotation Program (H-AHRP) was developed to provide deliberate exposure to the role of nursing, pharmacy, respiratory therapy, social work, and laboratory services during the first month of residency

OBJECTIVES

Findings

A Structured Curriculum for Interprofessional Training of EM Interns