Collaborating from a Distance, Students Gain Real-World Experience

Doctor of Pharmacy and Physician Assistant students from St. John’s University’s College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences participated in a virtual interprofessional education activity with medical students from the New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine and the Donald and Barbara Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell in March and April.

More than 200 students collectively from each institution used Webex to work in small, remote, interprofessional groups and engage in a transition-of-care case study.

The goal of the exercise was to better understand the complementary roles health-care professionals play in patient-centered care, identify barriers to health-care access that can affect patient health, and recognize the value of team-based patient care and interprofessional communication. The activity was developed and facilitated by more than 20 faculty members from all three institutions.

Students who participated in the event had positive feedback, with many emphasizing their appreciation for learning about the various approaches taken by each profession and how important it is to work as a team to optimize patient care.

“The event was such a wonderful way to connect with colleagues in the health-care field,” said Adwah Yousuf, a third-year pharmacy student. “I am very glad that I was able to take part in this virtual event.”

Danielle C. Ezzo ’02P, ’03Pharm.D., Associate Clinical Professor, Clinical Health Professions, led the event for St. John’s and was pleased with the results. “I am grateful that we were able to run a successful virtual event despite all of the other challenges,” she said. “It is a true testament to each college’s commitment to students’ interprofessional learning.”