Interprofessional education between speech pathology and nursing programs: A collaborative e-platform curriculum approach

ABSTRACT

Interprofessional practice between nurses and speech-language pathologists (SLPs) in healthcare is essential, and it is a priority for both professions. Interprofessional education (IPE) is warranted to move forward professional partnership, and would be best served through incorporation into academic training for both disciplines. A combined synchronous and asynchronous e-platform collaborative approach that minimizes encroachment on already overcrowded clinical curricula is described. Implementation is outlined for use within a graduate-level dysphagia course for SLP students and a medical/surgical undergraduate course for nursing students. This model is flexible and lends itself for use in other courses within clinical disciplines.

KEYWORDS:

• Interprofessional education
• nursing
• speech-language pathology
• curriculum
• dysphagia
• higher education

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

Naomi Gurevich

Naomi Gurevich, PhD, CCC-SLP is an Assistant Professor of Communication Sciences and Disorders at Purdue University Fort Wayne. She works primarily with adult neurogenic clinical populations and has research interests in linguistics and language disorders. In addition to a clinical Master's in Speech-Language Pathology Naomi has an MA in teaching, and MA in linguistics, and a PhD in theoretical phonology.

Danielle R. Osmelak

Danielle R. Osmelak is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Communication Disorders at Governors State University. She holds a doctorate of education in ethical leadership, which compliments her interest in patient advocacy, interdisciplinary dysphagia education, and ethics.

Cindy Farris

Cindy Farris PhD, MSN, MPH, CNE is an Assistant Professor at Marieb College of Health and Human Services in Florida Gulf Coast University School of Nursing. At the time of writing she was the interim Director of Academic Programs and an Assistant Professor at the Indiana University School of Nursing in Fort Wayne. Cindy's research focused on nursing education.