Date Presented 04/04/2025
Falls are leading cause of injury-related death among older adults, with more than 14 million incidents annually. This mixed-methods research aims to understand the impact of interprofessional education (IPE) on fall prevention for OT, PT, and pharmacy students.
Primary Author and Speaker: Manisha Sheth
INTRODUCTION: Falls are the leading cause of injury-related death among older adults, with over 14 million incidents annually (1). Falls among older adults pose a significant public health challenge, leading to serious injuries, decreased quality of life, and increased healthcare costs (2). Effective fall prevention strategies necessitate a multidisciplinary approach. This study evaluates the impact of an inter-professional education (IPE) program on fall prevention and its benefits to OT students.
DESIGN: A mixed-methods approach was utilized, involving a pre-post design. Students were recruited through purposive and convenience sampling. Eligibility criteria included adult students enrolled in the Spring semester in one of the three programs.
METHOD: Ninety-five OT, PT, and Pharmacy program students participated in the study. Participants were recruited through purposive and convenience sampling. The program included case-based learning, simulations, and collaborative clinical applications for fall prevention. Data were collected through closed-ended surveys and focus group discussions. Quantitative data were analyzed using Jeffrey’s Amazing Statistics Program (JASP), and qualitative data were analyzed to capture students’ experiences and perceived benefits.
RESULTS: Quantitative results indicated significant improvements in students’ collaborative competencies across all measured domains, including communication, roles and responsibilities, teamwork, and patient-centered care. Qualitative findings revealed enhanced understanding of other professionals’ roles, increased confidence in collaborative settings, and improved problem-solving skills. Students reported that the IPE experience better prepared them for real-world clinical practice.
CONCLUSION: The findings suggest that IPE in OT curricula can lead to better-prepared graduates. Future research should explore innovative methods for integrating these educational strategies into everyday practice (3).
References
1. Center for Disease Control (CDC). (2024, May 9). Older adult fall prevention. Retrieved June 2024, from Center for Disease Control (CDC). Gov: https://www.cdc.gov/falls/data-research/index.html
2. Elkington, S., Summers, C., Pechak, C., Lara, P., & Hernandez, F. (2021). A longitudinal study of interprofessional education in graduate students from rehabilitation sciences. The American Journal of Occupational Therapy (AJOT), 75(Supplement 2). https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2021.75S2-RP391
3. Watford, P., Adams, E., Carlton, M., & Todd, K. (2021). Effects of interprofessional education on OT student practitioner outcomes. The American Journal of Occupational therapy, 75(Supplement 2). https://doi.org/10.5014/ajot.2021.75S2-RP351
