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. 2023 Jan-Feb;37(1):100-108.
doi: 10.1080/13561820.2021.2005556. Epub 2021 Dec 16.

Building telehealth teams of the future through Interprofessional curriculum development: a five-year mixed methodology study

Ragan DuBose-Morris  1 , S David McSwain  2 , James T McElligott  3 , Kathryn L King  3 , Sonja Ziniel  4 , Jillian Harvey  5
Affiliations

Building telehealth teams of the future through Interprofessional curriculum development: a five-year mixed methodology study

Ragan DuBose-Morris et al. J Interprof Care. 2023 Jan-Feb.

Abstract

Building the next generation of telehealth enabled professionals requires a mixture of team-based, interprofessional practice with novel technologies that connect providers and patients. Effective telehealth education is critical for the development of multidisciplinary training curricula to ensure workforce preparedness. In this study, we evaluated the impact of a formal telehealth education curriculum for interprofessional students through an online elective. Over 12 semesters, 170 students self-selected to enroll in the 3-credit hour interprofessional elective and took part in structured didactic, experiential and interprofessional learning opportunities. Mixed-method assessments show significant knowledge and confidence gains with students reflecting on their roles as future healthcare providers. The results from five years' worth of course data shows not only an opportunity to advance the individual knowledge of trainees, but a larger movement to facilitate changes in practice toward population health goals. Recent global health events have further highlighted the need for a rapid response to public health emergencies by highly trained provider teams who are able to utilize technology as the cornerstone for the continuity of care.

Keywords: Telehealth; academic medical; curriculum; health professions; interprofessional; training.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declaration of Interest Statement:

The authors have no known conflicts of interest associated with this publication.

Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
Percentage of “Above Average” Responses to Items by Pre- and Post-Curriculum Administration (all values are p<0.001 using Fisher’s exact tests)
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
I would rate my ability to utilize telehealth as part of my current or future clinical, educational or research practice as… (p<0.001 using a Fisher’s exact test)
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
Course Influenced Role Among Health Care Professionals
Figure 4.
Figure 4.
Course Influenced Role with Regard to Direct Patient Care
Figure 5.
Figure 5.
Course Influenced Role in the Healthcare System
Figure 6.
Figure 6.
Course Influenced Role as a Professional in a Career Field
Figure 7.
Figure 7.
Telehealth Impact for Patients
Figure 8.
Figure 8.
Telehealth Impact for Healthcare System
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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