An Interdisciplinary Team Approach in the Health Science Education
ECPI University is pleased to share an incredible new video that demonstrates the kind of educational approach we use to prepare students for the real world. For many years, ECPI University has been known as a leader in hands-on education, but what does that really mean? It means you learn by doing. Yes, there are classroom lectures, but not the kind that goes on and on with little interaction between teacher and student. In our classrooms and labs, you take what’s been discussed and apply it in a way that can produce better understanding and retention.
One way that happens is through life-like simulations and exercises. Using both people and simulation mannequins, we try to create an environment that is as close to real life as possible. In this latest video, we not only showcase this style of learning, but also demonstrate what is known as an “Interdisciplinary Team Approach.” In this particular scenario, you are taken through a simulated car accident involving a driver and his pregnant wife. EMTs arrive and a process begins that incorporates participation between Paramedic (EMT), nursing, physical therapy, and health information students.
“Health care today is interdisciplinary, thus our programs reflect that,” says ECPI University Vice President Academic Affairs Dr. Kat Prince. “Caring for patients requires a coordinated team effort of people from different disciplines. For example, the EMT cares for the patient in the field, then hands off the patient to the care team at the hospital. The care team may be comprised of professionals from many different health care fields – nurses, physical therapists, respiratory therapists, etc. Our academic programs reflect what is actually happening in the real world of health care.”
There have been multiple studies published, primarily in the ICU setting, that show when there is a multifaceted team approach to patient care, patient outcome improves. A study by Wessen found that, contrary to team approaches, ‘‘in a hierarchical hospital organization, hospital personnel tended to interact only with members of their own group (leading to) limited intergroup communication and the disruption of professional relationships.’’
Another study by Knauss et al., comparing the various organizational characteristics and patient outcomes of 13 intensive care units, discovered that there is a direct correlation between patient outcomes and inter-professional communication. The better the communication, the better teamwork. The better the teamwork, the better the outcomes.
“These studies highlight that a multifaceted team approach is necessary to facilitate effective relationships among healthcare professionals and to optimize patient care,” says ECPI University EMS Program Director Nicholas Klimenko. “All ECPI University healthcare program graduates are expected to function effectively in a multidiscipline, fully-integrated healthcare system.
To improve understanding of each discipline’s roles and responsibilities within the healthcare system, ECPI University uses high-fidelity simulation and case studies to bring students from each program together at multiple points throughout their education. The idea is to improve familiarity and communication. With improved communication, teamwork will improve; with improved teamwork, the students will be better prepared to function in a multidiscipline, integrated healthcare system upon graduation.
“The video we produced is an example of one of those exercises, where we began with a motor vehicle collision where students from Criminal Justice and EMS responded,” says Mr. Klimenko. “EMS communicated with medical control and delivered the patients to Nursing. Nursing functioned as they would in the emergency department and sent the patients for diagnostic studies with Radiography and Sonography. Nursing again was involved in labor and delivery. Physical Therapy was involved with post discharge rehabilitation. Health Information Management processed the patient’s information throughout.”
If you can see yourself thriving in this environment and learning alongside dedicated peers, consider ECPI University for your health science education. Connect with a friendly admissions advisor today to see if ECPI University is the next step for you.
It could be the Best Decision You Ever Make!
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