Promotion of role clarification in the Health Care Team Challenge

Interprofessional collaboration has consistently been associated with positive client-care outcomes. Role clarification is one facet of interprofessional collaboration that is thought to be crucial for effective interprofessional team functioning. Given the positive outcomes associated with interprofessional collaboration, educators have begun to integrate formal interprofessional education events into healthcare curricula. The Health Care Team Challenge (HCTC) is a collaborative competition designed to promote interprofessional competencies among students in healthcare fields. The current study empirically investigated whether this event promoted role clarification among participants. Sixteen participants in five healthcare professions (occupational therapy, physiotherapy, clinical psychology, nursing, and medicine) completed two questionnaires to assess role clarification before and after participating in this event. Results indicate that participants’ understanding of their own and other professions’ roles improved after participating in this team activity. These results suggest that the HCTC is effective in promoting role clarification and collaboration among healthcare students.     

The Evercare Story: Reshaping the Health Care Model,Revolutionizing Long-Term Care

Clinicians struggle with how to deliver effective care to the growing geriatric and chronically ill population. This article describes one nurse practitioner–developed model and the elements that have contributed to its success. Not only did 2 innovative nurse practitioners leverage collaborative practice techniques to change care management for frail and elderly nursing home residents, but they also replicate and externally validated that care approach nationally and internationally, while helping to launch a public policy revolution.     

How One School-Based Clinic is Meeting the Challenge of Adolescent Health Care

Today's adolescent confronts a host of medical, social, and economic problems that have a significant impact on their lives as well as on society. The teenage population of the North Side area of the city of Pittsburgh is no exception. To address the needs of these teens a school-based clinic was established in one of the city's middle schools. It became known as the Allegheny Middle School/Allegheny General Hospital Wellness Center (AMS/AGH Wellness Center). Located on the school grounds, this clinic remained in operation during school hours. Student interest was obvious as they began using the services provided by the clinic immediately after its establishment. After only 1 school year of operation, nearly 60% of the student body was enrolled. The number of patient visits totaled 1086. Evidence from the literature attesting to the advanced skills, cost effectiveness, and holistic approach to patient care of nurse practitioners led to the selection of a family nurse practitioner as the primary health care provider for the middle school students. Other clinic staff include a part-time physician, ambulatory technician, secretary, and part-time psychiatric social worker. The establishment and operation of the Wellness Center is discussed in this article.     

The Periodic Health Examination: A Challenge For the Family Physician

During the past 50 years, there has been increasing expectation by patients and physicians that serious disease is preventable by early diagnosis. Unfortunately, the value of screening by X-rays, electrocardiogram, cytologic smears, and biochemistry has yet to be proven.

The family physician should concentrate his efforts more on preventable disease caused by poor diet, exercise levels, or life style and by closely monitoring blood pressure.