Lightning Talk Description: The health consequences of climate change and the social determinants of health have emerged as major public health concerns that disproportionately impact our low-income and Black, Indigenous, and People of Color communities. Health professionals are in a unique position to address them, yet health professions education programs fail to include this essential content in the curriculum. To prepare graduates to care for a diverse society, priority must be given to interprofessional learning opportunities focused on the health consequences of climate change. The Sanders Impact Practice Center (IPC) at MGH Institute of Health Professions (MGHIHP) is a clinical learning environment affording students clinical practice opportunities and community clients free health services. Biannual Grand Rounds at the IPC, a student-led initiative, serve to share knowledge about a diagnosis, client encounter, and or clinical skill with students, faculty, staff, and community members. At the most recent Grand Rounds, nursing, occupational therapy, and physician assistant students demonstrated approaches for integration of a climate assessment in practice. The evidence-based screening tools were developed and disseminated by members of the Center for Climate Change, Climate Justice, and Health at MGHIHP School of Nursing, the first nurse-led center to address the health impacts of climate change. Peer education was done utilizing the A-CLIMATE framework, an innovative tool to assess for and educate about climate-related health consequences and the Heat-related Illness Screening Tool, which can be used to screen individuals, communities, and populations for socioeconomic and environmental risk factors for heat-related illness. Students outlined the appropriate climate-related assessment questions and strategies to develop an interprofessional plan of care based on their findings. The demonstration highlighted that a climate assessment is a key element in providing holistic care. Furthermore, the facile integration of the climate assessment does not increase the workload demand for providers. At the conclusion of the demonstration, attendees indicated that the clinical assessment tools provided valuable clinical information and broad applicability in patient care. Other disciplines acknowledged the importance of a climate assessment in practice. Systems barriers, like inclusion of climate assessment in the documentation program and provider continuing education activities, were highlighted. Overall, attendees reported the session offered significant clinical information. Attendees reported a clear understanding how to conduct a discipline specific climate assessment and its value to quality care. The health consequences of climate change are urgent and pervasive, requiring health professions educators to take immediate action to ensure future providers are prepared.
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.
