Newswise — Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science announces the opening of a new doctoral program in Interprofessional Health Care Studies following the Illinois Board of Higher Education's approval on Dec. 5.
The program, the first of its kind in Illinois and among a leading number in the nation, seeks to educate future faculty how to teach students studying in all fields of health care through an interprofessional approach, with the goal of training medical staff to work in teams as a means of improving patient care.
"By approving this program, the Illinois Board of Higher Education has proven itself visionary in recognizing the undersupply of the nation's health care workforce," said Dr. K. Michael Welch, president and CEO of RFUMS.
"We now have the authority to train faculty in educating future generations of health care professionals to practice collaboratively in advancing new treatment models that will enhance patient satisfaction and improve outcomes." According to research by the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies of Science, patient care and outcomes would be improved if teams of health professionals " doctors, pharmacists, nurses, therapists and technicians " worked together through a team approach in treating patients, each lending their expertise in guiding care.
In a 2002 report, the Institute stated, "All health professionals should be educated to deliver patient-centered care as members of an interdisciplinary team, emphasizing evidence-based practice, quality improvement approaches and informatics."
In current practice, such a team approach is rare. Physicians treat patients and refer them leave to other professionals, but there is often limited communication between those treating patients.
Part of the roadblock in changing the current system, RFUMS leaders believe, is that each branch of medicine ¬- from physical therapists to physicians " is educated separately in stand-alone colleges with little training in other disciplines, or on how those disciplines can best work together in a team-based approach.
The new Rosalind Franklin University program will focus on educating health professionals and PhD candidates how to educate students to work together no matter their field.
"It is critical that we explore innovative ways of educating students to increase their capacity to be change agents in future health care," said Judy Stoecker, vice dean of the College of Health Professions. "Unless healthcare professionals can collaborate to create a patient-centered system, we will be unable to meet the complex needs of patients in the future."
The program is aimed at those seeking to teach and conduct research in a university or college setting. Candidates may be current faculty or practitioners with at least a master's degree.
In order to reach professionals currently practicing or teaching, the program will be taught predominantly online, with most students expected to attend part-time. The on-campus portion of the program will focus on the research component. Students will also be required to conduct field work, including a healthcare-based component, a teaching component and a community service component.
According to Dr. Wendy Rheault, dean of the RFUMS College of Health Professions, "With this new doctoral program, Rosalind Franklin University is continuing to move forward with its strategic plan to advance its position as the premier interprofessional health sciences university in the nation." The program will officially open in fall 2008.
Prospective students can contact Laura Nelson, Department of Interprofessional Healthcare Studies at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science at 847-578-3310 or by email at [email protected].
About Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science
Formed in 1912 as the Chicago Hospital-College of Medicine, Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science is a national leader in interprofessional healthcare education, offering a doctor of medicine program through the Chicago Medical School and doctor of podiatric medicine program through the Dr. William M. Scholl College of Podiatric Medicine.
RFUMS also offers a range of degrees through its College of Health Professions, including nurse anesthesia, nutrition, physical therapy and physician assistant, and advanced biomedical degrees through the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies.
RSS