A case study in rapid adaptation of interprofessional education and remote visits during COVID-19

ABSTRACT

The Richmond Health and Wellness Program (RHWP) is an innovative interprofessional care coordination program that seeks to support the health and wellness of independent-living older adults and educate future practitioners. Since 2012, RHWP has provided community-based interprofessional training to students at Virginia Commonwealth University. The sudden suspension of clinical and community-based training due to the COVID-19 pandemic created the need to transform the traditional ways students received clinical education and support the vulnerable communities served by RHWP. This paper describes RHWP’s rapid transition to a hybrid telephone-based program with a virtual learning component for students which allowed RHWP to continue serving its participants and provide interprofessional training experiences. Since the transition, RHWP has served 111 participants through over 400 telephonic visits, and 12 nurse practitioner and pharmacy students completed clinical hours to fulfill graduation requirements. To meet the needs of learners, interprofessional education models can be adapted to changing circumstances posed by COVID-19.

KEYWORDS:

• Interprofessional education
• geriatrics
• remote consultation
• telehealth
• social determinants of health
• health disparities

Acknowledgments

The authors express their sincere gratitude to Melissa Cisewiski, on-site coordinator at the Richmond Health and Wellness Program, who was instrumental in developing and implementing the transition to telephonic visits.

Declaration of interest

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

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Jodi M Winship

Jodi M. Winship is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Occupational Therapy at Virginia Commonwealth University, research coordinator for the Richmond Health and Wellness Program, and member of VCU’s Institute for Inclusion, Inquiry, and Innovation (iCubed) Health and Wellness in Aging Populations core.

Kathie Falls

Kathie Falls is the Director of Clinical Operations and clinical faculty for the Richmond Health and Wellness Program.

Melody Gregory

Melody R. Gregory is a third-year doctoral student in Occupational Therapy. She completed her doctoral capstone project with the Richmond Health and Wellness Program.

Emily P. Peron

Emily P. Peron is an Associate Professor in the Department of Pharmacotherapy and Outcomes Science at Virginia Commonwealth University School of Pharmacy and clinical faculty with the Richmond Health and Wellness Program.

Krista L. Donohoe

Krista L. Donohoe is an Associate Professor in the Department of Pharmacotherapy and Outcomes Sciences at Virginia Commonwealth University School of Pharmacy and clinical faculty with the Richmond Health and Wellness Program.

Lana Sargent

Lana Sargent is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Adult Health and Nursing Systems at Virginia Commonwealth University, clinical faculty with the Richmond Health and Wellness Program, and member of VCU’s Institute for Inclusion, Inquiry, and Innovation (iCubed) Health and Wellness in Aging Populations core.

Patricia W. Slattum

Patricia W. Slattum is an Emeritus Professor in the Department of Pharmacotherapy and Outcomes Science at Virginia Commonwealth University School of Pharmacy and co-principal investigator of the Geriatric Workforce Enhancement Program at the Virginia Center on Aging.

Jane Chung

Jane Chung is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Family and Community Health Nursing and member of VCU’s Institute for Inclusion, Inquiry, and Innovation (iCubed) Health and Wellness in Aging Populations core.

Carmen M. Tyler

Carmen M. Tyler a third-year doctoral student in Counseling Psychology in the Virginia Commonwealth University Department of Psychology and is the Behavioral Health Specialist for the Richmond Health and Wellness Program.

Ana Diallo

Ana Diallo is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Family and Community Health Nursing, clinical faculty with the Richmond Health and Wellness Program, and member of VCU’s Institute for Inclusion, Inquiry, and Innovation (iCubed) Health and Wellness in Aging Populations core.

Kimberly Battle

Kimberly Battle is a Clinical Assistant Professor in the Department of Family and Community Health Nursing, clinical faculty with the Richmond Health and Wellness Program, and member of VCU’s Institute for Inclusion, Inquiry, and Innovation (iCubed) Health and Wellness in Aging Populations core.

Pamela Parsons

Pamela Parsons is Associate Dean for Practice and Community Engagement at Virginia Commonwealth University School of Nursing, Judith B. Collins and Joseph M. Teefey Distinguished Professor, and Clinical Associate Professor in the Department of Family and Community Health Nursing. She is the Director of the Richmond Health and Wellness Program and chair of VCU’s Institute for Inclusion, Inquiry, and Innovation (iCubed) Health and Wellness in Aging Populations core.