Teamwork was on full display last fall as physical therapy (PT) students at the George Washington University School of Medicine and Health Sciences (SMHS) joined with other health care students to improve their skills at an interprofessional event.
More than 500 students from SMHS, along with pharmacy students from Shenandoah University, came together for the event. “The purpose of the day was to educate students on the unique role of each discipline of the health care team and apply the knowledge of those roles to a patient case,” said Holly Jonely PT, ScD, associate director of the PT Program at SMHS. Prior to the event, the students researched health care disciplines different than their field of study. During a morning session, students worked in small groups to discuss what they had learned. “It was eye-opening to see the requirements and roles that each member of the health care team undertakes,” said PT student Allison Hoyle. “I was able to see the gaps in my knowledge about other professionals’ roles and what they bring to the team.”
Students then applied their roles to a patient case involving an individual who experienced a stroke. The case allowed the students to explore ways in which professional collaboration could improve a patient’s experience and overall outcomes. “It was fun to be given the chance to see all the different perspectives on the same patient case and what key aspects stood out to them when approaching the plan of care,” said PT student Cara Jenson.
The day ended with a panel discussion where individuals who had experienced a stroke discussed how team-based health care affected their treatment. The members of the panel shared their personal stories and how members of the health care team influenced their experience and recovery. “I think the panel was a great reminder of how important collaborating with other health care members is to ensure meaningful patient experiences and outcomes,” said PT student Charlie Vogler.
The experience provided the students with a taste of what to expect in their future careers. “Allowing each student to get a better understanding of other people on the team and getting the opportunity to see health care from various lenses was important and will definitely benefit all of us in the future,” Hoyle added.