The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #68636

Marilyn G. King, DNSc¹, Valerie West, PhD, Kristi Lenz, PhD³, Leonard Egede, MD⁴, George Temple, PhD⁵, David R. Graber, PhD⁶, Douglas Blansit, MA⁷, and Mark Barry, DMD⁸. (1) College of Nursing, Medical University of South Carolina, 99 Jonathan Lucas Street, PO Box 250160, Charleston, SC 29425, (843)792-9237, kingmg@musc.edu, (2) College of Pharmacy, Medical University of South Carolina, 171 Ashley Avenue, Charleston, SC 29425, (3) College of Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, 171 Ashley Avenue, Charleston, SC 29424, (4) College of Graduate Studies, Medical University of South Carolina, 171 Ashley Avenue, Charleston, SC 29425, (5) Department of Health Administration and Policy, Medical University of South Carolina, 171 Ashley Avenue, Charleston, SC 29425, (6) Health Sciences Library, Medical University of Scouth Carolina, 171 Ashley Avenue, Charleston, SC 29425, (7) College of Dental Medicine, Medical University of South Carolina, 171 Ashley Avenue, Charleston, SC 29425

This presentation will describe an innovative model for interdisciplinary education.The Presidential Scholars Program, established in 2001 at the Medical University of South Carolina, is designed to provide students with an opportunity to explore complex health issues through interdisciplinary team work. The program, an academic year experience, includes students from nursing, medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, health professions, and graduate studies. Program faculty represent each of the six colleges in the University. Students and faculty meet once a month to explore topics related to health care disparities, as well as participate in team building activities to promote effective interdisciplinary collaboration. In addition to the large group activities, students are assigned to professionally, racially/ethnically, and gender diverse groups. Over the year each small group works on a specific topic related to health care disparities. First year topics provided students with an opportunity to explore issues of disparities related to clinical problems, such as HIV/AIDS, lead poisoning, and heart disease. Topics for the second year focused on broader societal issues, such as cultural competence, social responsibility, access to care, education, environmental health, and the health care system. Evaluation of the first year of the program indicates that interdisciplinary activities during professional education can be effective in enhancing knowledge of the complex issues related to health care disparities. Students also reported that small group work was effective in creating a collaborative, participative mindset among future health professionals. Evaluation of the second year will be completed early fall.

Learning Objectives:

At conclusion of this session, the participant in this session will be able to:
• Describe an innovative model of interdisciplinary education.
• Evaluate selected learning activities related to teaching interdisciplinary students about health care disparitiies.
• Discuss effectiveness of the model in preparing students to address issues related to health care disparities.
• Discuss the effectiveness of the model in preparing students for future work with interdisciplinary teams.

Keywords: Education, Health Disparities

Related Web page: www2.edserv.musc.edu/scholars/scholars.htm

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.