Interdisciplinary Symposium builds teamwork across disciplines

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Gary Cope, a nursing major, contributes to the team effort as fellow nursing major Dana Constanzer looks on during the Waldron Interprofessional Education and Practice Symposium.

A single wounded warrior was the focus of almost 200 students and faculty during the Waldron College of Health and Human Services’ Interprofessional Education and Practice Symposium held in Heth Hall on Nov. 6.

Designed to introduce students in the WCHHS and the College of Education and Human Development to the dynamics of interprofessional teamwork, the event provided an opportunity to practice consulting and working with colleagues from six disciplines. Their goal was to prepare a comprehensive plan for helping the hypothetical Sgt. Zachary Woods and his family deal with a daunting set of physical, cognitive and medical conditions.

"This is a critical experience,” said WCHHS Dean Kenneth Cox in wrapping up the symposium. “As health care professionals, you have to come together to practice in the real world.” 

The symposium, now in its fifth year, included graduate and undergraduate students from the nursing, communication sciences and disorders (COSD), occupational therapy, physical therapy, social work and nutrition and dietetics programs. In 20 groups, moderated by a faculty member, the students assessed and developed care plans and individual education plans based on the detailed case study of the challenges facing Sgt. Woods on his road to recovery.

"This is a critical experience,” said WCHHS Dean Kenneth Cox in wrapping up the symposium. “As health care professionals, you have to come together to practice in the real world.”

The symposium, now in its fifth year, included graduate and undergraduate students from the nursing, communication sciences and disorders (COSD), occupational therapy, physical therapy, social work and nutrition and dietetics programs. In 20 groups, moderated by a faculty member, the students assessed and developed care plans and individual education plans based on the detailed case study of the challenges facing Sgt. Woods on his road to recovery.

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Kelly Garman, a senior nutrition and dietetics major, records Group H's recommendations for Sgt. Woods' treatment plan.

"It was a surprise to see how interconnected we all were and how we can unite on behalf of the client,” said Carter Doyle, an occupational therapy graduate student from South Hill, Virginia.

Doyle and Group H, facilitated by Assistant Professor of Nursing Barbara Farris, were tasked with assessing Sgt. Wood and his family, developing a problem list, identifying the components of a proposed care plan as well as barriers to success that would need to be overcome. In the process, they were enlightened by their fellow students' different assessments, methodologies and viewpoints. In the course of their 90-minute conversation around the table, they shared knowledge of their disciplines, protocols and terminology as they sought to craft an umbrella approach to help, but not overwhelm, Sgt. Woods and his caregiving support team.

“There were a lot of ‘ah-ha’ moments,” said Vickie Bierman, assistant professor of nursing. “Early on, my group determined that a top priority in serving the patient was to establish a positive relationship among themselves and they found a lot of common ground.”  
Morgan Murphy, a graduate COSD student, appreciated the chance to participate in an event that mirrors the way things are done on behalf of patients and clients.

"I was worried that the different disciplines would think they were more important than mine," said Murphy of Virginia Beach. "But that is not the case. We all listened and learned from one another to play a crucial role in helping."
The entire senior class in the nutrition and dietetics program joined Assistant Professor Mary Jean Miller for the symposium.

“Nutrition is an essential component of healing, so the students had a chance to educate themselves and to educate our colleagues in other disciplines,” Miller said. “Today was an ideal opportunity to build bridges that will lead to the optimal outcomes for all of our clients.”

WCHHS Interprofessional Symposium is addressed by Occupational Therapy Assistant Professor Sheila Krajnik.

Assistant Professor of Occupational Therapy Sheila Krajnik, a member of the five-person organizing committee, sets the stage for the fifth annual Waldron College Interprofessional Education and Practice Symposium.

Nov 12, 2015