This fall, students from a variety of disciplines came together to learn with, from and about each other --and from patients-- in an interprofessional education (IPE) placement program that's new to Bridgepoint.
The theme of the program was Person-Centred Care. The four weekly sessions incorporated patient voices, with a different patient in each session, sharing their experience
"It's was really important to invite patients because, for the students, hearing their stories first-hand and being able to discuss them and ask questions is so powerful," said Robyn Davies, Interprofessional Education Specialist. "The stories evoked rich discussions where students related what they heard to key interprofessional skills like team-work, communication and conflict resolution."
Students from pharmacy, nursing, environmental services, social work, project management and medicine participated in the small group tutorials.
"It became evident as the placement progressed that the students recognized the patient care team is bigger than the clinical staff. It includes all staff (clinical and non-clinical) and the patient and family" said Robyn.
Here's what some of the participants had to say:
Helping to make things better
"I was able to share some of my experiences that I think demonstrate the importance of communication, collaboration and engaging with the patient about care. I enjoyed participating because I like to help make things better and I like to see people that are interested in growing and learning. As a patient, it's empowering to be asked to contribute." Louise Bark, Patient Partner
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We're all human first
"One lesson that came out in all of the patients' stories was the importance of being a human. Care - and feeling cared for - comes out in the humanity of our interactions with patients and their families. We are all humans, first. I will take this lesson with me throughout the rest of my professional career. "
George Georgievski, Social Work Student
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Professional confidence
"Inviting patients to speak about their experience provided a unique learning opportunity between patients and learners. These sessions helped me feel confident in my role and understand my profession in relation to others, so that I will be able to contribute my expertise more effectively." Hamideh Zakeri, Project Management Student
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Putting learning into practice
"I have already put the skills I learned into practice. In speaking with a newly admitted patient about medications, I remembered the importance of taking a moment to explain my role and what I was doing before I started asking the patient questions about medications. This helped put the patient more at ease, so they were more open and comfortable speaking with me." Gazaleh Darian, Pharmacy student
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Better care through teamwork
"As patients shared their stories each week, it was wonderful to watch the students take in that information and connect with it on a personal level, often sharing stories of their own experiences. Giving people a dedicated time and place to learn about and reflect on each other's practice benefits everyone at- patients and staff. It helps to create better-integrated teams that then provide better care." Charles Shorrock, Patient Advisor and IPE Facilitator
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If you wish to get involved - as either a facilitator or as a student participant, please contact Robyn Davies at robyn.davies@sinaihealthsystem.ca
The program is accredited through the University of Toronto's Centre for Interprofessional Education.
