Interprofessional collaborative practice requirement embedded in a psychiatry clerkship for medical students

Embedding interprofessional education (IPE) into medical student curricula in clinically-relevant contexts can be challenging. The goal of this educational activity was to facilitate progression of interprofessional competencies in medical students as they completed a clinical clerkship in psychiatry. Third year medical students were provided with a menu of 18 patient-care activities that they could complete in conjunction with a non-physician member of the healthcare team (e.g. therapist, nurse, social worker, etc.) to advance collaborative practice knowledge and skills. Students were required to complete a minimum of two activities from the menu. Learning objectives focused on demonstrating respect for those with whom they worked (patients and staff); recognizing one's own limitations; engaging with other professionals to collaborate and integrate clinical care; using respectful language, and performing effectively as a team member. To assess the extent to which these objectives were attained, a rubric was developed for students to quantitatively and qualitatively self-reflect on the extent and manner in which they achieved the competencies. All students (n = 144) completed the clerkship assignment, and 82 students opted to allow their data to be used for research (57%). This cohort of students rated themselves highly (≥4.4 out of 5) on all competency statements. Written reflections detailed examples of ways the students demonstrated interprofessional competencies and what they learned from working alongside colleagues from other professions - including gaining new insights from collaboration with the health professionals, the importance of establishing trusting relationships, and the value that non-physician team members provide when caring for psychiatry patients. Clerkships are ideal opportunities for students to engage in interprofessional collaborative practice. Intentional practice experiences provide students with opportunities to execute IPE skills with colleagues while learning new knowledge, practicing new behaviors/skills, and gaining new insights about other professionals.