Abstract
Interprofessional Education (IPE) plays a crucial role in fostering collaborative practice among healthcare providers, including Family Nurse Practitioners (FNPs), Physical Therapists (PTs), and Occupational Therapists (OTs). The integration of these disciplines promotes patient-centered care by facilitating the sharing of knowledge and expertise, ultimately leading to improved clinical outcomes. FNPs, PTs, and OTs each offer unique perspectives on patient management—from diagnosis to rehabilitation—and their collaboration enhances treatment strategies that address the physical, functional, and psychological needs of patients. Team based learning activities allow these professionals can assess, plan, and implement coordinated care, reducing care fragmentation and improving continuity (Joshi et al, 2022). For example, FNPs focus on medical management, PTs address physical mobility, and OTs enhance daily functional activities. This holistic, team-based approach is especially critical for patients with complex, chronic conditions, where coordinated care is essential for optimal health outcomes (Joshi et al, 2022). Additionally, IPE fosters professional growth by broadening each provider's perspective on patient care and encouraging a culture of collaboration and respect (Seaton et al, 2020).
An IPE activity involving FNP, Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT), and OT students offered a practical application of these principles. The students collaboratively discussed a complex case that followed a patient through surgery, hospitalization, and discharge with therapy services. This activity included both video conference and in-person meetings where students developed a comprehensive plan of care tailored to the patient’s and family’s needs. Key objectives included enhancing collaborative skills, understanding each discipline’s roles and responsibilities, promoting patient-centered care, identifying interprofessional barriers, and improving clinical decision-making. One DPT student coordinated the meeting and recorded the video interaction for later review. FNP students finalized the plan of care individually and responded to reflection questions. The project aimed to improve teamwork, communication, and clinical decision-making, providing students the opportunity to practice collaborative care approaches that aligned with the holistic, team-based strategies required in modern healthcare settings.
The IPE activity provided valuable takeaways for students across disciplines. First, students learned the importance of effective communication and teamwork, which were essential in providing high-quality, patient-centered care. By working together, FNPs, PTs, and OTs gained a deeper understanding of each other’s roles and how to leverage their unique expertise in developing a cohesive care plan. The collaborative process allowed students to see how various disciplines complemented each other in addressing the complex needs of patients, particularly those with chronic or multifaceted conditions. Additionally, students gained insight into potential barriers to interprofessional collaboration, such as differing communication styles or scope of practice limitations and learned strategies to overcome these challenges. This experience prepared students for real-world healthcare settings, where effective collaboration is key to improving patient outcomes. Finally, engaging in shared decision-making enhanced students' clinical judgment, promoting a holistic approach to patient care that considered medical, physical, and functional needs, which is crucial in delivering comprehensive care across the healthcare system.