2018 Interprofessional Education Expo highlights CHHS successes
The 2018 Interprofessional Education Expo was held April 13 at the College of Health and Human Services. The theme was Dementia in Aging and the day featured grand rounds with an interdisciplinary group of CHHS faculty and guests, followed by student research presentations on a variety of interdisciplinary topics.
The 2018 expo was the third annual installment of the event. The grand rounds were better attended and there were many more student presenters than in previous years.
"I was thrilled to see students from different disciplines learning from one another about professional roles and their scope of practice as they discussed poster topics," says Dr. Ann Tyler, associate dean of the college and IPE committee chair. "Faculty in all disciplines were very helpful in weaving the topic into their coursework and encouraging their students to participate in today's events."
In recent years, interprofessional educational activities have become more commonplace at the College of Health and Human Services, as the various disciplines in the college work together to reflect the increasingly interdisciplinary approach to health care and human services in professional and clinical settings.
Grand rounds
The team that led grand rounds this year featured faculty members as well as professionals from the community. The event included an overview of the various types of dementia, followed by a simulated video case of care providers attempting to bathe a nursing home resident who was confused and agitated.
Those present at the event were asked to work with others, particularly from different disciplines, to consider individual factors, communication styles and the broader environment that were exacerbating the situation. They were also asked to reflect on what could have been done differently to reduce the resistance to care from the nursing home resident. A panel presentation followed, with an overview of the scope of practice related to dementia care for each discipline. The panel included:
Cassidy Ardelean, program coordinator from Michigan Great Lakes Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association
Dr. Robin Criter, assistant professor in the Department of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences
Dr. Suma Devanga, assistant professor in the Department of Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences
Micahaela Hanzaker, occupational therapist from Centracare
Dr. Maureen Mickus, gerontologist and associate professor in the Department of Occupational Therapy
"Alzheimer’s is the most expensive disease in the US and projections indicate the prevalence will triple from 5.7 to 15 million persons by 2050," says Dr. Mickus. "I’m pleased we had the opportunity to increase awareness of the disease among our colleagues and students. Our IPE team specifically focused on the difficult task of bathing, an activity of daily living which requires expertise from all disciplines for reducing resistance from persons with the disease."
Student research poster presentations
Graduate and undergraduate students, including a large number of students from the Grand Rapids OT graduate program, presented research posters in the CHHS atrium. Presenters were approached by students, staff and faculty from all disciplines in the college. They had to tailor their presentations for those who shared basic knowledge about their areas of study as well as with those unfamiliar with their disciplines.
"It's a great exercise for students," says Dr. Michelle McGrady, assistant professor of integrative holistic health and wellness and IPE committee member. "They are forced to develop a premise and then discuss it from a number of different angles to accommodate various audiences. It truly helps prepare them for their professional lives, where they won't always be speaking with other experts in their field."
Students presenting in the CHHS atrium