Interprofessional training: Start with the youngest! A program for undergraduate healthcare students in Geneva, Switzerland

Abstract

Aims: Demography of patients and complexity in the management of multimorbid conditions has made collaborative practice a necessity for the future, also in Switzerland. Since 2012, the University of Applied Sciences (UAS) and its Healthcare School as well as the University of Geneva (UG) with its Medical Faculty have joined forces to implement a training program in collaborative practice, using simulation as one of the main learning/teaching process.

Methods: The actual program consists of three sequential modules and totalizes 300 h of teaching and learning for approximately 1400–1500 students from six tracks (nutritionists, physiotherapists, midwives, nurses, technologists in medical radiology, physicians); in 2019 another hundred pharmacists will also be included.

The main issues addressed by the modules are

• Module 1: the Swiss healthcare system and collaborative tools.

• Module 2: roles and responsibilities of the different health professionals, basic tools acquisition in team working (situation monitoring, mutual support, communication).

• Module 3: the axis of quality and safety of care through different contexts and cases.

Conclusions: A very first evaluation of the teaching and learning and particularly on the aspects of acquisition of collaborative tools shows positive attitudes of students towards the implementation of this new training program. Furthermore, a pre–post questionnaire on teamwork aspects reveals significant modifications.

Disclosure statement

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of this article.

Prof. Mathieu Nendaz, Director of the Unit of Development and Research in Medical Education, University of Geneva. Non-financial – Member of board: AMEE. Prof Nendaz receives no compensation as a member of the board of AMEE.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Elisabeth van Gessel

Elisabeth Van Gessel, MD, MER, is currently the director of the Center for Interprofessional Simulation, is a trained Anesthesiologist, and a senior lecturer at the University of Geneva.

Patricia Picchiottino

Patricia Picchiottino, ME, is currently the vice-director of the Center for Interprofessional Simulation, is a trained midwife, and has obtained a University Degree in Simulation at University Paris-Descartes.

Robert Doureradjam

Robert Doureradjam, Instructor-CRNA, is a nurse anesthetist, is instructor, in charge of the nurse anesthetist’s post-graduate training program at the Geneva University Hospitals.

Mathieu Nendaz

Mathieu Nendaz, MD, MHPE, is an internist at the Geneva University Hospitals and was trained in health professions education at the University of Illinois at Chicago.

Petra Mèche

Petra Mèche, ME, is a trained dietician, lecturer at the UAS and the educational coordinator of the School of Health Sciences since September 2011.