A telehealth-based interprofessional education module focused on social determinants of health

Abstract

Background: This report describes a telehealth-based interprofessional education (IPE) module that connected medical and pharmacy students across different geographical locations. The IPE module focused on developing strategies aimed at reducing health inequities related to social determinants of health.

Interprofessional education activity: Teams of one doctor of osteopathic medicine and one or two doctor of pharmacy students were created by the course faculty member. Teams were instructed to meet at least four times via videoconferencing technology to discuss their assigned health inequity. Teams were instructed to design possible interventions to reduce the health inequity in their communities. Students completed the Interprofessional Collaborative Competency Attainment Scale (ICCAS) and a peer evaluation to provide feedback to their team member(s).

Discussion: Four hundred and seventy teams comprising 1099 students have participated in this IPE module. On the ICCAS, significant improvement was noted on all items with highest gains on items related to communication and collaboration. On the 2018-2019 peer evaluations, 84.5% of students rated their teammates as exceptional on the item "rate your team member's respect for you and others on the team." On the 2019-2020 peer evaluations, highest agreement was noted on the statement "this student is able to act with honesty and integrity in relationships with other team members." A total of 81% of students felt that the IPE module was useful to their learning.

Implications: Improvement in the ICCAS and positive peer evaluations support a telehealth-based model for provision of IPE.

Keywords: Health disparities; Health inequity; Interprofessional education; Medical students; Pharmacy students; Social determinants of health.