Building effective communication between disciplines is essential for patient safety.  This project focused on developing interdisciplinary clinical education for an undergraduate baccalaureate nursing program.  Health disciplines from two Midwestern universities collaborated on a geriatric interdisciplinary home visiting program.  Each interdisciplinary team included students from medicine, nursing, health sciences, and communication disorders who visited one client for 4 visits over 18 months.  The purpose of this project was to build effective communication between disciplines. 

Implementation of strategy or project

Faculty from several disciplines solicited student volunteers and senior citizens for patient home visits focused on health promotion and disease prevention.  Interdisciplinary teams included a first year medical student, a junior nursing student, a health science student, and a communication disorders student.  The curriculum included patient assessment, various screenings, and education.  Teams met with faculty after each visit to discuss the patients’ findings and interdisciplinary team process. 

Outcomes of teaching strategy or project

Over four years, the program grew from 7 to 40 interdisciplinary teams.  Students expressed some of the program’s benefits, including changing stereotypical attitudes about other disciplines.  Students commented the interdisciplinary clinical education experience helped develop shared leadership responsibilities.  Students also described a new appreciation for the contributions of other disciplines, recognizing their strengths, and gaining new perspectives on patient care. 

Implications for education/educators

The Institute of Medicine’s 2001 report, Crossing the Quality Chasm, focused on patient safety.  They identified that cooperation between disciplines is essential.  Effective collaboration and communication are necessary to improve patient outcomes.  The restructuring of clinical education should begin at the undergraduate level for nursing students.  Expanding these interdisciplinary clinical experiences should be considered for promoting cooperation between disciplines.  The ultimate benefit will be improved patient outcomes.