https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7317-3891
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ABSTRACT
This study examined the experiences of patients, Occupational Therapy (OT), Physiotherapy (PT) and Medicine learners, Providers, and Faculty, in implementing a Virtual Interprofessional (VIP) education initiative in two academic Family Medicine (FM) collaborative clinics. A qualitative descriptive study drew on a strength-based approach as part of the evaluation of the interfaculty VIP initiative. Participants involved in VIP care were conveniently sampled. Interviews were conducted with four patients, and focus groups were held with a total of 16 providers, preceptors and learners in OT, PT and FM. Data were analyzed using content analysis and managed using NVivo12. Four main categories emerged: 1) Challenges in implementing VIP care in FM; 2) Operational challenges, 3) Facilitators of VIP care in FM; and 4) Experiential learning outcomes and benefits of VIP care. This innovation supported knowledge and insights on interprofessional competencies acquired during practice, provided inclusive and comprehensive access to care for patients, and identified opportunities to enhance medical, OT and PT education in VIP care in FM. A collaborative approach with faculty from different disciplines (FM, School of Health Professions: OT and PT) can provide ongoing opportunities for VIP care for patients, and foster IP learning and acquisition of competencies for FM, OT and PT learners and providers.
Acknowledgments
Carmel O’Keefe contributed to the proposal, implementation, and preceptorship of the pilot. Beverly Lawson contributed to the proposal and implementation of the pilot. Jonathan Harris contributed time to review and support the pilot.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors(s).
Additional information
Funding
Notes on contributors
Joanna Zed
Dr Joanna Zed is an Associate Professor and Associate department Head with the. Dalhousie University Department of Family Medicine in Halifax Nova Scotia. She practices collaborative, comprehensive family medicine at the Dalhousie Family Medicine at the academic teaching clinic in Halifax. Interests include clinical teaching, office based primary care and office based procedures.
Lynn Shaw
Dr. Lynn Shaw is a Professor and Director of the School of Occupational Therapy at Western University. She holds a PhD in Rehabilitation Science. Dr. Shaw is an occupational therapist and occupational scientist who contributes to ongoing research and partnerships to address work transitions, work disparities, work disruptions and structural/systemic inequities needed to create opportunities for Decent Work, social inclusion, the promotion of occupational participation, and workplace health and well-being. Other key areas are in health transformation through Interprofessional academic collaborative approaches and workplace innovations, along with systematic reviews in occupational therapy, chronic pain, assistive technologies, and chiropractic. Areas of new focus in work include a focus on equitable work mobility and technological disruptions on the impact on future work.
Danielle Domm
Danielle Domm is a registered Occupational Therapist with experience and interest in providing care for primary care patients. Her research interests are in strengthening primary care and the health system, which involves synthesizing current research and implementing projects to impact policy.
Helena Piccinini-Vallis
Dr. Helena Piccinini-Vallis MD (Dalhousie University, Canada), PhD (Western University, Canada), is an Associate Professor in Family Medicine with cross-appointment in Obstetrics and Gynecology at Dalhousie University. Her quantitative and qualitative research explores issues pertaining to pregnancy-related weight changes from the perspective of women and healthcare providers, and she strategically integrates the Patient Centred Clinical Method as a framework for providing a primary care lens in her work.
Katherine Stringer
Dr. Katherine Stringer is a South African born medical graduate of the University of Cape Town. She worked as a community family physician before joining the Discipline of Family Medicine, Faculty of Medicine at Memorial University in 2009. She is a strong supporter of medical education and has held many leadership positions in medical education in Canada including currently the Department Head of Dalhousie Department of Family Medicine and the Chair of the Family Medicine Specialty Committee at the CFPC. Clinically she practices comprehensive family medicine with a special interest in Care of the Elderly and adults with Developmental Disabilities.