Strengthening Fall Prevention Awareness through Interprofessional Learning: Empowering Healthcare Learners and Supporting Underserved Older Adults highlights an innovative interprofessional education (IPE) activity designed to promote falls awareness among underserved older adults while fostering interprofessional teamwork among healthcare learners. Hosted by the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (MCPHS), this onsite activity engaged learners from Optometry, Pharmacy, and Physical Therapy in a team-based presentation and community lunch. Participants included older adults from vulnerable populations and student volunteers from five health disciplines. Survey results showed high satisfaction, increased knowledge, and strong interprofessional engagement. The activity effectively addressed public health priorities, promoted MCPHS clinic visibility, and demonstrated the impact of community-based IPE in mitigating fall-related risks.
This activity showcased an interprofessional education initiative advancing health equity through collaborative falls prevention outreach to underserved older adults. The event addressed social determinants of health—nutrition, isolation, and access to care. Student learners gained insight into team-based care and assumptions that hinder collaboration, enhancing their interprofessional competency. This model demonstrates how community-based IPE initiatives can bridge health gaps, support vulnerable populations, and empower future health professionals to work collaboratively on equitable care.
This talk will share outcomes from a survey administered at the conclusion of the interprofessional falls prevention activity. Student learners applied interprofessional competencies in real-world settings, enhancing their readiness for team-based care. Survey results showed increased knowledge among participants and high satisfaction among participants, learners, and faculty. This activity demonstrates how integrating community service, education, and interprofessional collaboration can improve falls awareness, foster deeper learning, and create more responsive, value-driven healthcare collaborative practice