{"id":121,"date":"2016-10-10T15:36:49","date_gmt":"2016-10-10T15:36:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nau.edu\/social-work\/?p=121"},"modified":"2017-12-04T15:53:24","modified_gmt":"2017-12-04T15:53:24","slug":"social-work-and-hhs-partner-for-panel-on-interprofessional-collaboration","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/in.nau.edu\/school-social-work\/social-work-and-hhs-partner-for-panel-on-interprofessional-collaboration\/","title":{"rendered":"Social Work and HHS Partner for Panel on Interprofessional Collaboration"},"content":{"rendered":"
<\/p>\n
On September 27th, in honor of Health Professions Week, faculty members representing six different disciplines spoke with students from NAU\u2019s Social Work Program and College of Health and Human Services about Interprofessional Collaborative Practice.<\/p>\n
As Nurse Ro Haddon said, \u201cInterdisciplinary teams can increase patient satisfaction, improve quality of care, and decrease length of stay for hospitalized individuals.\u201d Students were encouraged to develop expertise in their professions, build relationships with experts from other disciplines, and use teamwork to provide optimum client care.<\/p>\n\n
Particularly compelling were the many personal stories shared, where team work created new opportunities to improve outcomes for the families, individuals, and communities served. Early in her career, Physical Therapist Lorie Kronenberger was assigned a patient in terminal condition. When it became clear that the patient was unwilling or unable to work toward physical therapy goals, Lorie felt it necessary to deny further care.<\/p>\n
As a result of this denial, the patient came very close to being discharged from the hospital \u2013 a discharge that would have stripped him of critical access to basic needs, while in extremely fragile condition. Fortunately, a group of other practitioners in the facility were able to bring their experience to bear on the situation. The patient\u2019s needs were met more effectively by a broader team, and the patient was able to continue treatment under the care of different disciplines, remaining covered by insurance. This was a turning point for Lorie professionally, and shows the value of treatment plans that take many perspectives into account.<\/p>\n\n
As panelist Laura Bounds suggested, \u201cBe active. Reach out. Learn new terminology. Speak in a Language your patients understand, and be sure to listen. Students in NAU\u2019s College of Health and Human Services have a unique opportunity to broaden their perspectives through encounters with professionals from many other disciplines.\u201d<\/p>\n