Breaking down barriers: multidisciplinary education model

J Allied Health. 1997 Spring;26(2):63-9.

Abstract

A pilot project was implemented involving students from three disciplines: dental hygiene, physical therapy, and physician assistant. The purpose was to prepare students to work together in multidiscipline teams utilizing concepts of problem-based learning (PBL) on both simulated and real patients. The project was divided into three phases. Phase I introduced discipline specific information, team concepts, and PBL concepts. Phase II involved students working in multidisciplinary teams solving a simulated patient case in the PBL format. Phase III consisted of students working in small groups and on real patients, performing an extraoral/intraoral and periodontal examination, a problem oriented physical examination, and a neuromuscular assessment. Pre and posttest evaluation of Phase I revealed no difference in knowledge among the three disciplines. Of those students evaluating Phase II and III, 100% felt PBL was an effective means of presenting multidisciplinary material; 93% reported enhanced problem-solving; 98% indicated improvements in working in groups; and 98% felt they had learned more about each other's discipline. This model may provide a viable means to prepare interdisciplinary teams to work effectively together.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Clinical Competence
  • Curriculum*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Medically Underserved Area
  • Models, Educational*
  • Oral Hygiene / education*
  • Patient Care Team*
  • Patient Simulation
  • Physical Therapy Modalities / education*
  • Physician Assistants / education*
  • Pilot Projects
  • Problem-Based Learning