Introduction: Falls are the leading cause of injury-related death among older adults. According to the U.S. CDC and Prevention, fourteen million or 1 in 4 Americans age 65+ fall annually. These falls result in severe injuries, reduced quality of life, and increased healthcare costs. Effective fall prevention strategies require a multidisciplinary approach. Interprofessional education (IPE) prepares healthcare students for interprofessional collaboration (IPC), essential for providing high-quality patient care. This study explored the impact of an IPE program on fall prevention and its benefits to healthcare students.
Objectives: After this presentation, participants will be able to (1) Articulate the importance of an IPE program for healthcare students in fall prevention. (2) Identify four IPE core competencies and activities to accomplish them.
Methods: A mixed-methods approach was used with a pre-post design. Ninety-five OT, PT, and pharmacy students participated in a four-hour IPE experience during the Spring semester. The session included case-based learning, simulations, and collaborative clinical applications for fall prevention. Students completed pre- and post-session surveys, and focus group discussions were conducted to capture their experiences.
Results: Quantitative findings indicated significant improvements in students’ collaborative competencies, including communication, roles and responsibilities, teamwork, and patient-centered care. Qualitative results revealed an enhanced understanding of other professionals’ roles, increased confidence in interdisciplinary collaboration, and improved problem-solving skills.
Conclusion: The IPE activity provided valuable hands-on learning and fostered teamwork and communication among OT, PT, and pharmacy students. The findings suggest incorporating IPE into OT curricula enhances students' preparedness for collaborative practice. Future IPE programs should explore additional medical and mental health conditions to strengthen interdisciplinary collaboration in patient care.