Learning Objective #1: Describe the importance of interdisciplinary education

Learning Objective #2: Discuss the potential outcomes for interdisciplinary education

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The U.S. health care system has undergone a series of changes over the past decade including the emergence of managed care organizations, disease management, clinical practice guidelines, continuous quality improvement, report cards, and evidence-based practice. All of these changes require interdisciplinary team practice to function efficiently. The health professions must educate students to function in the new health care delivery system. Research generally suggests that interdisciplinary health care teamwork improves clinical outcomes as well as patient satisfaction, and can decrease institutional costs. However, nursing and medical school curricular content and structure have followed strict disciplinary lines in the past. Students of this traditional education are often ill prepared for the reality of professional practice. It is proposed that the most effective way to build a team based model for practice is the development of a collaborative interdisciplinary clinical skills education model for nursing and medical students. An interdisciplinary educational paradigm will improve and expand communication and collaboration among nursing and the rest of the health care team that will lead to greater trust and more effective interactions in the clinical arena, ultimately improving access to quality health care. The purpose of this presentation will be to describe the implementation of a multi-phase project aimed at increasing interdisciplinary clinical skills acquisition, communication and collaboration and to provide the framework for building the evidence base for interdisciplinary collaboration and communication.