Patch Summary: Analysis of opportunities for inter-professional collaborations
A recurrent theme of opportunities for inter-professional collaborations is present throughout second year. I feel like this topic has been interlaced throughout the program, evident in clinic, class, and UBC’s inter-professional events (IPE). Through this experience I realized learning from inter-professional collaborations makes me a stronger clinician and health care team member.
In our classroom, we have with lengths of subjects to cover led by experts in the field. When I was studying to become a dental assistant, we had classes with the same description as dental hygiene courses. So in my naivety, I thought the content would be similar. However, I now see my past education as an introduction, because I am getting a more in-depth, science-based education. However, the establishment of relationships with faculty from other professions has helped me grow. For example, in 206 we had three instructors who specialized in different areas to teach a single class. Initially, I struggled with some of the deeper concepts of anatomy. After I established a relationship with each of my professors, I learned more about them and how I can apply what I learned to my clinical skills to better understand my client’s needs regarding each of the topics they specialized in. The dialogue created between these professors and I opened the door to have a better understanding of the class and client care.
In our clinical sessions we work with dental assistants, dentists, technical support, and our clinical instructors, to name a few. As students, it is important to work alongside professionals who hold these job titles to care for our clients and prepare us for the future. Working with dental professionals allows for learning “through observing others, listening and asking questions directly related to patient care, and participating in discussion.”(1) For example, technical support is a phone call away to make sure my operatory is working, when I have a question regarding my clients oral health I can ask my clinical instructor or the dentist, and the dental assistants help me in various ways when seeking dental supplies. Having the experience to work with UBC’s dental team while providing client care provides us with support, while also learning how to work independently.
Within our curriculum, we are encouraged to participate in IPE. I remember being nervous about entering a class with other health care students. However, after our group was handed scenarios, I felt like my opinion was valuable, and sometimes my peers thought of things I never thought of, or I was able extend on thoughts expressed by other health care students related to dental hygiene. Since, my experience with IPE has been positive and has helped me to value “developing and rehearsing the appropriate skills in a safe environment” with my peers that will soon be part of my broad health care team.(2) My experience with IPE has changed the way I view collaboration, and I think is an effective way of providing care to our clients.
References
1 . Nisbet G, Dunn S, Lincoln M. Interprofessional Team Meetings: Opportunities For Informal Interprofessional Learning. JIC. 2015 May 15;29(5):426-32.
2. Hardisty J, Scott L, Chandler S, Pearson P, Powell S. Interprofessional Learning For Medication Safety. TCT. 2014 Jul;11(4):290-6.
Gadbury-Amyot C, Asadoorian J, Biggar H, Chisholm R, Compton S, Craig B, Darby M, Gordon S, Grant P, Mackie S, Matheson S, Neish NR, Sunell S. Canadian Competencies For Baccalaureate Dental Hygiene Programs. CDHA. 2015:1-41.