Basic Description:

Unconj 444, Interdisciplinary Collaborative Teams in Health Care, is an interdisciplinary course open to any students enrolled in the Health Science schools. Students enrolled in the course function as an interdisciplinary learning group within a problem based learning framework. The primary goal of the course is to promote the development of interdisciplinary practice in the care of urban and rural underserved patient populations. The course is 1 credit, taken as credit/no credit only.

Expanded Description:

Unconj 444, Interdisciplinary Collaborative Teams in Health Care, is one component of a larger joint effort by the schools of Health Science (Dentistry, Medicine, Nursing, Pharmacy, Public Health and Community Medicine, Social Work) to promote effective interdisciplinary training and practice. The learning objectives, general structure of the course, reading and case materials, and teaching represent contributions from students and faculty across all schools as a reflection of a common commitment to interdisciplinary health care. The course is based on 5 or so clinical case summaries, collectively representing the typical challenges confronted by health care providers endeavoring to serve urban and rural patient populations that have been historically isolated from appropriate health care. Based on details, clues, and questions posed by the course faculty, students taking the course will collaborate with one another to identify critical diagnostic questions, develop relevant information, and plan effective health care interventions. Each case will conclude with a face-to-face debriefing session facilitated by a faculty member having particular expertise in the problems and issues posed by each case.

Although students may choose to reveal their names and disciplinary affiliations as the course proceeds, anonymity is offered as a means of promoting unrestrained inquiry and dialog across all disciplines. The 1 credit available for taking the course are awarded by the instructor on the basis of full participation in discussions, attendance at bi-weekly case debriefings (offered at two different times) and a brief summary paper submitted at the end of the quarter.