An Innovative Interprofessional Practice and Education Program for Osteoporosis/fall Screening Incorporating Intra and Interdisciplinary Peer-to-peer Teaching, Learning, and Team Collaboration Activities
Interprofessional Student Poster Description:
Background: Osteoporosis is a preventable metabolic bone disease that increases the risk of debilitating falls and fractures. Early screening is important to identify people at risk for osteoporosis and falls. We developed an Osteoporosis and Fall Risk Interprofessional Practice and Education (IPPE) Event where students can learn and perform a comprehensive screening. The study's purpose was to evaluate the effectiveness of interprofessional peer-teaching during an osteoporosis and fall risk screening.
Design: Student participants were recruited from pharmacy, nursing, and physical therapy programs at Rutgers University. The IPPE consisted of an educational pre-session CANVAS assignment, 2-hour virtual training session, student-led home screening with a community volunteer found by the student, and a 2-hour virtual educational and debriefing session. Students taught peers through interprofessional education on their respective discipline's screening assessment tools during each session. Based on the screening results, students collaborated with their volunteers to develop a SMART Objective aimed at addressing the identified problem.
Results: 168 students completed the screening with their volunteers (65 pharmacy, 42 nursing, 61 physical therapy). Most volunteers were female (62.5%), minority (66%), and 50 years or older (91%). The screening found 112 volunteers (66.7%) had an increased fall risk based on physical assessment (TUG, Single Leg Balance, 30-Second Sit to Stand). In addition, 62 volunteers reported taking at least one fall-risk medication, and 38 reported taking at least one medication that increases bone loss. Of 152 SMART Objectives: 33 related to adjusting medication/ supplements, physical strength (n=23), exercise (n=67), and wellness (n=6).
Conclusion: This study demonstrates health professional students can teach and learn skills from students within and outside of their discipline, comprehensively screen community volunteers for osteoporosis and fall risk, and create a SMART Objective for their volunteers.
Implications: Fall risk screening usually starts at age 65 as part of the Medicare wellness visit. Our screening program identified fall risk in all age groups which suggests that screenings should be performed earlier. The honors research students’ participation and perspective in the IPPE strengthened their knowledge about research and IPPE, while also enhancing the development, revision, and quality of the IPPE.
Priority Criteria: Students and facilitators were called to incorporate osteoporosis and fall risk screenings in their future practice.Students developed a SMART objective with their client based on assessment results thus, impacting population health by identifying people who are at risk for falls and osteoporosis and providing referrals if needed.
