The University of Minnesota is a leader in developing interprofessional education for students in health professional programs. However, fewer opportunities exist for undergraduate pre-health students to learn about the collaborative nature of healthcare and prepare for the increasing interprofessional practice education in health programs. This talk will share how a course and observership program created by the Pre-Health Student Resource Center (PHSRC) in collaboration with academic and health system leaders both prepares pre-health students for interprofessional collaborative practice and improves teamwork and communication on healthcare teams.
Many students pursue a health career driven to positively impact people’s lives by improving their health and well-being. However, as students choosing and preparing for a health career, they should understand early on that improving health outcomes cannot be done by one health profession alone; a variety of perspectives must be combined to deliver high-quality, holistic care and optimize the patient experience.
Teamwork and Interprofessional Collaboration in Healthcare is a Fall 2025 course for undergraduate pre-health students that will introduce them to the concepts and skills necessary for collaboration between health professionals, staff, patients, and families. Through case studies, role-playing, and team-based exercises, students will begin developing the skills needed to be an effective member of an interprofessional team. Students will learn about the roles and responsibilities of healthcare professionals, ethical challenges, communication strategies, and teamwork skills. Learning will be measured by a pre- and post-test, weekly assignments, and a final team-based case study.
After completing the course, students will be eligible to participate in the PHSRC Observership Program. This program grew out of the demand among pre-health students for shadowing opportunities and the idea to create a program that benefited both students and health professionals. The Observership Program includes pre-health students as observers of multidisciplinary team rounds in the hospital. Students complete a structured observation tool, generating data used to measure health professionals’ demonstration of communication and teamwork. Data collected is then brought back to the health professional teams observed, providing them with the opportunity to improve their practice and enhance the patient experience and quality of care.
This talk will share highlights from the process of designing the Observership Program and its prerequisite course. Attendees will learn how partnerships between the University of Minnesota and system leaders were key to developing the Observership Program, and considerations to make when building similar courses and programs to prepare students for interprofessional collaborative practice.
In support of improving patient care, this activity is planned and implemented by The National Center for Interprofessional Practice and Education Office of Interprofessional Continuing Professional Development (National Center OICPD). The National Center OICPD is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.
As a Jointly Accredited Provider, the National Center is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved under this program. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. The National Center maintains responsibility for this course. Social workers completing this course receive continuing education credits.
The National Center OICPD (JA#: 4008105) is approved by the Board of Certification, Inc. to provide continuing education to Athletic Trainers (ATs).
This activity was planned by and for the healthcare team, and learners will receive Interprofessional Continuing Education (IPCE) credit for learning and change.
Physicians: The National Center for Interprofessional Practice and Education designates this live activity for AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with their participation.
Physician Assistants: The American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA) accepts credit from organizations accredited by the ACCME.
Nurses: Participants will be awarded contact hours of credit for attendance at this workshop.
Nurse Practitioners: The American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Program (AANPCP) accepts credit from organizations accredited by the ACCME and ANCC.
Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians: This activity is approved for contact hours.
Athletic Trainers: This program is eligible for Category A hours/CEUs. ATs should claim only those hours actually spent in the educational program.
Social Workers: As a Jointly Accredited Organization, the National Center is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved under this program. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. The National Center maintains responsibility for this course. Social workers completing this course receive continuing education credits.
IPCE: This activity was planned by and for the healthcare team, and learners will receive Interprofessional Continuing Education (IPCE) credits for learning and change.
Learners can claim CE credit by completing the Daily Evaluation.
