As health care becomes increasingly complex, interprofessional practice has become a key component of health care education. Providers from different disciplines must collaborate to improve patient outcomes.
To address this need, Samford University’s Office of Interprofessional Education (IPE) has launched the Interprofessional Practice Case Competition, aimed at helping students develop the skills necessary for effective collaboration in their future careers. The competition allows students from various Samford schools to work together in a hands-on setting, enhancing their ability to navigate real-world health care challenges.
“Our goal is to provide students opportunities to work as effective teams, communicate with fellow health professionals and respect each other’s roles,” said Robert W. Hensarling, kinesiology professor and director of IPE.
In March, the second annual event brought together students from the School of Health Professions, Beeson Divinity School, McWhorter School of Pharmacy and Moffett & Sanders School of Nursing.
“This year’s case was more complex, both in terms of the health care scenario and the role of the hospital chaplain,” Hensarling said. “One of the unique aspects was the inclusion of Beeson Divinity School students.”
Four teams of students from various departments spent a month collaborating to create recommendations and a comprehensive care plan for a simulated patient. On March 3, the teams presented their plans to a panel of judges composed of faculty, volunteers and practicing health care providers from the community.
The case involved a patient recovering from a stroke, facing mobility and cognitive impairments, as well as challenges related to family support and living situations. Students had a month to prepare a comprehensive care plan. On the day of the competition, teams were given an additional element to incorporate into their plans, testing their ability to adapt to new information in a real-world health care setting.
“It pushed our divinity students outside their comfort zone and provided them with a valuable opportunity to better understand the role of chaplaincy in health care,” said Gordon Bals, associate professor of divinity at Beeson. “They were able to see how chaplaincy fits into the broader health care team and improve their understanding of holistic care.”
Students in the School of Health Professions often collaborate across departments, but this program is the only event where they interact with the chaplain’s role on a health care team.
“It was interesting to see how each team approached the case slightly differently and brought unique perspectives from their fields, ultimately leading to well-rounded care plans,” said Maegan Powell, assistant professor of physical therapy
One student reflected on the experience, saying, “It allowed me to lean on other professionals for a deeper understanding of how to care for a patient holistically.”
Health care needs interprofessional collaboration to deliver comprehensive, patient-centered care. The Case Competition provides students with a controlled environment where they can work through a real-life situation while being supported by industry experts. As the competition develops each year, students gain valuable insight into how teamwork across disciplines can improve patient outcomes, preparing them for future careers.
Winning Team:
- Matt Ashley, McWhorter School of Pharmacy
- Grace Castellarin, McWhorter School of Pharmacy
- Charlotte Mann, Moffett & Sanders School of Nursing
- Sam Martin, Moffett & Sanders School of Nursing
- Eli Alexander, Beeson Divinity School
- Sarah Grace Sherbert, School of Health Professions
Judges
- Kimberly Benner, McWhorter School of Pharmacy faculty
- Marie Cimbora, School of Health Professions adjunct faculty
- Treasure Clolinger, chaplain at the University of Alabama at Birmingahm (UAB) Hospital
- Heather Hallman, School of Health Professions faculty
- Julie Orr, YEAR, physical therapist at Spain Rehabilitation
- Ashley Turner, Moffett & Sanders School of Nursing faculty
The event was made possible by funding from Beeson Divinity School, the School of Health Professions and McWhorter School of Pharmacy.
