Recorded presentation

Dana Barber Gonzales, PhD and Deborah L. Gangluff, ScD. University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences College of Public Health, 4301 West Markham #820, Little Rock, AR 72205, 5016829898, gangluffdeborahl@uams.edu

The Health Policy and Management section of the College of Public Health, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, offers an interdisciplinary training program for graduate students in health-related disciplines. Students are recruited from public health, health services administration, occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech therapy, audiology, nutrition, social work, psychology, nursing, and medicine. A modified problem-based learning curricula called Solution Focused Learning (SFL) is incorporated using children with special health care needs and their families who live in rural areas. Solution Focused Learning is a method of instruction that uses families who are encountering health systems challenges, as a stimulus for promoting interdisciplinary practice and family-centered care. This approach to learning emphasizes utilization of resources and solutions to address identified family needs. After team interviewing the family, students meet in small groups facilitated by faculty tutors in which learning issues are identified and explored. Learning issues include the following: the child’s diagnosis including etiology, variations, and associated symptoms and specific interventions; effects of the chronic condition on the family; financial implications; insurance; federal and state programs; and community supports and resources. This type of curricula in which students are presented with, and find solutions to, public health challenges has proven to be a successful model of learning for all participating disciplines. Students gain a greater depth of knowledge regarding rural health issues and develop a keener sense of health policy issues. The impact of federal, state, and local policy implementation on rural families is explored. The SFL model of interdisciplinary education provides direction toward building respectful, collaborative partnerships among families and healthcare professionals practicing in rural communities. Students are encouraged to impact systems change, and prevent secondary conditions by forging a community-based partnership of health resources while assisting families of children with chronic health conditions to meaningfully participate in community life. Students learn how to promote collaboration and problem solving with representatives from community organizations, non-profit agencies, and government officials. In addition, students become actively engaged in and approach learning as a life long process and develop an appreciation for the rewards of providing family-centered interdisciplinary care in rural communities. This presentation will include a description of SFL, SFL activities, interdisciplinary team practice and interviewing techniques, benefits to the students and families, faculty support and involvement, and evaluation results.

Learning Objectives:

• Describe the Solution Focused Learning curricula
• Identify the need for interdisciplinary training to meet the needs of children and families with special health care needs.
• Apply the family centered solution focused learning model to exisiting interdisciplinary training programs.

Keywords: Rural Health Care, Health Workers Training

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences College of Public Health - Health Policy and Management Section
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: Faculty member

Recorded presentation