Event Title
Benefits of preclinical osteopathic medical students' joining interprofessional research teams
Location
Philadelphia, PA
Start Date
10-5-2021 12:00 AM
End Date
13-5-2021 12:00 AM
Description
Challenge/ Issues: There are few options for interprofessional research experiences that offer medical students the ability to collaborate with clinical psychology doctoral (PsyD) students. While a core principle of osteopathic medicine is holistic care, exposure to psychosocial aspects of medical conditions is limited or unrepresented in the preclinical education years. As an example, the psychosocial aspects and quality of life issues related to kidney dialysis are not discussed in the classroom.
Objectives: The objectives for integrating medical students into a research study on quality of life and psychosocial aspects in persons undergoing kidney dialysis are to: a) have psychology and medical students learn from, with, and about each others’ professions as it relates to the care of this patient population while in preclinical education; b) foster interprofessional communication, collaboration, and teamwork in research relating to patient care, and c) gain an appreciation for others’ roles and responsibilities.
Approach: The principal investigator recruited research assistants to aid in this biopsychosocial study, with intentional selection of osteopathic medical (DO) and Clinical PsyD students. Joining the team required students to complete IRB training, participate in journal article discussions, learn psychometric properties and administration rules for neuropsychological and psychosocial assessments, and consent and interviewing skills to interact with dialysis patients. Future opportunities for data analysis and presentations are anticipated. Through collaboration and interprofessional education, students develop a more intimate understanding of the relationship between the body, mind, and spirit for this patient population.
Results: The result of having an interdisciplinary lab was that medical and psychology students shared profession-based knowledge with each other. Psychology doctoral students had more prior research training than osteopathic medical students. Conversely, medical students had more baseline knowledge of physiology and physical systems. Thus, the goals of interprofessional communication, and learning the roles and responsibilities of dialysis patient care were met by discussions surrounding these topics. Having psychology and medical students work together led to the development of new research hypotheses through effective teamwork. Further qualitative reports from the 2 DO students and 8 PsyD students will be available at the time of presentation regarding this shared learning experience. The main obstacles encountered thus far have been availability, scheduling, differences in foundational knowledge, and COVID-19 restrictions to entering the dialysis clinic. However, this novel approach demonstrates the feasibility of having medical students join psychology research teams for advancing their biopsychosocial knowledge about patient populations and research. It is anticipated that participating medical students will have a greater sensitivity to the psychosocial aspects of dialysis and chronic illnesses, and that this model for interdisciplinary research will be replicated with formalized outcome measures to be developed.
Embargo Period
6-14-2021
Benefits of preclinical osteopathic medical students' joining interprofessional research teams
Philadelphia, PA
Challenge/ Issues: There are few options for interprofessional research experiences that offer medical students the ability to collaborate with clinical psychology doctoral (PsyD) students. While a core principle of osteopathic medicine is holistic care, exposure to psychosocial aspects of medical conditions is limited or unrepresented in the preclinical education years. As an example, the psychosocial aspects and quality of life issues related to kidney dialysis are not discussed in the classroom.
Objectives: The objectives for integrating medical students into a research study on quality of life and psychosocial aspects in persons undergoing kidney dialysis are to: a) have psychology and medical students learn from, with, and about each others’ professions as it relates to the care of this patient population while in preclinical education; b) foster interprofessional communication, collaboration, and teamwork in research relating to patient care, and c) gain an appreciation for others’ roles and responsibilities.
Approach: The principal investigator recruited research assistants to aid in this biopsychosocial study, with intentional selection of osteopathic medical (DO) and Clinical PsyD students. Joining the team required students to complete IRB training, participate in journal article discussions, learn psychometric properties and administration rules for neuropsychological and psychosocial assessments, and consent and interviewing skills to interact with dialysis patients. Future opportunities for data analysis and presentations are anticipated. Through collaboration and interprofessional education, students develop a more intimate understanding of the relationship between the body, mind, and spirit for this patient population.
Results: The result of having an interdisciplinary lab was that medical and psychology students shared profession-based knowledge with each other. Psychology doctoral students had more prior research training than osteopathic medical students. Conversely, medical students had more baseline knowledge of physiology and physical systems. Thus, the goals of interprofessional communication, and learning the roles and responsibilities of dialysis patient care were met by discussions surrounding these topics. Having psychology and medical students work together led to the development of new research hypotheses through effective teamwork. Further qualitative reports from the 2 DO students and 8 PsyD students will be available at the time of presentation regarding this shared learning experience. The main obstacles encountered thus far have been availability, scheduling, differences in foundational knowledge, and COVID-19 restrictions to entering the dialysis clinic. However, this novel approach demonstrates the feasibility of having medical students join psychology research teams for advancing their biopsychosocial knowledge about patient populations and research. It is anticipated that participating medical students will have a greater sensitivity to the psychosocial aspects of dialysis and chronic illnesses, and that this model for interdisciplinary research will be replicated with formalized outcome measures to be developed.