POSTER PRESENTATIONS

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Interprofessional OSCE Experience in Health Science Education: A Pilot Study

Laura Delaney, MSPAC, PA-C and Kenna Willey, MSPAC, PA-C

Des Moines University


Objectives

  • Describe the benefits of having other health profession students serve as patients in an OSCE.
  • Discuss methods to enhance professional training.

Abstract

Background: Interprofessional education is essential for collaborative care.  Within health science education, the Objective Structured Clinical Examination is used to observe and assess hands on skills. Typically, standardized patients are used for the patients during these activities. Due to the COVID 19 pandemic, the Des Moines University Physician Assistant program was forced to shift from use of contracted standardized patients to students. With a unique opportunity at hand, the PA program utilized students from the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program as standardized patients.  This pilot study was designed to assess a physical therapy students’ attitude and values of interprofessional teamwork and knowledge of the other disciplines’ profession while serving as the patient. 

Methods: Students from the Physician Assistant program participate in an OSCE with DPT students serving as patients.  The DPT students had completed introductory training on interprofessional education and teamwork and case prep work prior to the encounter. The DPT students were given a survey to assess knowledge and attitudes regarding the experience and teamwork and change in knowledge regarding the PA profession. 

Results: Fifty-one PA students completed the OSCE and 21 DPT students participated as patients.  The DPT students completed a survey regarding the experience and provided feedback to the PA students regarding their performance during the encounter. 

Conclusion: Preliminary data shows having students from other health science disciplines not only increases knowledge of the other professions on the healthcare team but improves attitudes about interdisciplinary training and professional roles. Further data analysis to be completed. Due to COVID 19, the PA program had to shift from using contracted standardized patients to using students from the Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) program as standardized patients.  This pilot study was designed to assess a physical therapy students’ attitude and values of interprofessional teamwork and knowledge of the other disciplines’ profession while serving as the patient.

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