Lightning Talk Description: The people of Afghanistan have endured countless humanitarian challenges over the years. In 2021, approximately 1,000 Afghan refugees were relocated to Oklahoma City within a six-month timeframe. These new refugees arrived with numerous complex health conditions including late term pregnancies. Teams comprised of faculty, staff, administration, and students from OU Health and the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center established an interprofessional workgroup. The goal of the workgroup was to identify issues and implement solutions by fostering collaboration among diverse healthcare professions and community members, all in the pursuit of improving healthcare access for the incoming refugees.
Caring for this vulnerable population posed unique challenges, including cultural awareness gaps among caregivers, language barriers, limited medical records, and differing healthcare perspectives. Through regular workgroup meetings, members actively shared emerging insights and strategies, both within the group and with community partners. Leveraging the expertise of leaders, key individuals were deployed from the workgroup to address issues efficiently. Notable achievements included improved communication between community and OUH/OUHSC leaders, easier scheduling and attendance of clinic appointments for patients. As a result, the system became the healthcare home for most of these refugees including nearly all of the needed obstetrics care.
To foster cultural humility among providers, the team also invited members of CAIR (Council on American Islamic Relations) Oklahoma to help develop materials for cultural sensitivity materials that were ultimately shared across the system.
This presentation aligns with the theme of "Interprofessional Collaboration to Address Health Equity, Racism, and Bias in Interprofessional Practice." By sharing our experiences, attendees will gain valuable insights into the practical steps taken by the OUH/OUHSC system to establish an interprofessional workgroup and address the challenges faced by the Afghan refugee population. We will highlight how collaboration among diverse healthcare professions has contributed to improving healthcare access and mitigating biases and disparities. Through examples, we will showcase the positive outcomes resulting from improved communication, cultural sensitivity initiatives, and interprofessional connections.
It is important to note that the Afghan refugee population is not the first at-risk community in Oklahoma City, and the pursuit of streamlined healthcare practices is not a groundbreaking concept. Nevertheless, this work demonstrates the power of collaboration.
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.
