Lightning Talk
From Panel to Practice: Using Interprofessional Storytelling to Enhance Understanding of Social Determinants of Health
Tuesday, September 16, 2025, 1:15 pm - 2:15 pm CDT
Within interprofessional education (IPE) curricula, students consistently express a need for real-world examples that illustrate how interprofessional teamwork operates in practice. As learners advance beyond foundational competencies toward culturally responsive and community-driven care, integrating practitioner perspectives becomes essential, particularly when in-person experiences are logistically challenging. This lightening talk shares findings from a social determinants of health (SDoH) expert panel in a required IPE course, demonstrating how interprofessional storytelling can bridge the gap between classroom learning and clinical application.
Over 900 first-year students from nine health professions (Dentistry, Nursing, Osteopathic Medicine, Optometry, Physical Therapy, Podiatry, Physician Associate Studies, Pharmacy, and Veterinary Medicine) attended a 1.5-hour webinar featuring five interprofessional panelists. Each panelist shared a personal story illustrating strategies for addressing SDoH within their field and offered real-world examples of team approaches to tackling social needs in marginalized and underserved populations.
Following the webinar, students provided anonymous feedback and completed both the Assessing Student Competence Knowledge of Social Determinants of Health (ASCK-SDH) Scale and a reflective writing assignment comparing how SDoH shaped care within and across professions.
Of the 608 students who provided session feedback, this session was rated the highest of all six IPE events (mean = 4.46/5). Qualitative analysis of open-ended responses revealed five key takeaways: recognizing the importance of SDoH in shaping patient care, outcomes, and access; the value of diverse perspectives, reinforcing the importance of teamwork in addressing healthcare challenges; the role of empathy, cultural humility, and non-judgmental care in building patient trust; the power of personal storytelling to enhance engagement; and the impact of effective communication and advocacy in reducing disparities.
Notably, analysis of the ASCK-SDH revealed that 98.9% of students agreed or strongly agreed that interprofessional teams are better positioned to assess SDoH than individuals, underscoring students’ appreciation for interprofessional collaboration in addressing complex community needs. Reflections revealed shared challenges across professions, such as economic and logistical barriers to healthcare access and cultural considerations. Unique profession-specific differences emerged with respect to insurance disparities and norms, varying emphasis on patient advocacy and preventative medicine, and contrasting patient autonomy frameworks in human and animal medicine.
This session engaged learners through authentic storytelling and promoted strategies to improve care for underserved communities. By spotlighting interprofessional stories and translating lived experiences into practical insights, this initiative illustrates the value of storytelling to deepen learners’ understanding of SDoH and prepare them to advance health equity in diverse care settings.
Accreditation Details
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.