Passing the Knowledge On

Siena has made a mark with its Interprofessional Complex Care (IPCC) team, which has developed a two-semester curriculum to give students an opportunity to work with individuals who are experiencing complex health care challenges in our local community.

The team hosted a workshop here August 7-8 for professional colleagues from other liberal arts institutions so they can create their own IPCC teams and develop curricula that meet the needs of their own students and local communities. The 23 participants included faculty and clinicians from Stony Brook University, Daemen College, LaSalle University, Touro University, CUNY Lehman, Messiah University and Misericordia University.

Siena's IPCC team was founded four years ago by Jenna Thate, Ph.D., associate professor of nursing, and also includes Elisa Martin, Ph.D., professor of social work and MSW program director, and Daniel White, Ph.D., assistant professor of health studies. The team created a course model to provide an interdisciplinary experience for students interested in health care that combines course content with experiential learning. Students work directly with clients in the role of supportive friend or family member, in conjunction with local community partners who identify people who would benefit from this service.

"Combining students from the disciplines of nursing, social work, health studies, and those preparing for the health professions, who are supervised by faculty from these disciplines, helps clients to overcome barriers to effectively managing their health," explained Thate. "The interdisciplinary aspect of the curriculum and its community engaged aspect are excellent examples of Siena's commitment to liberal arts ideals and Franciscan values."

After hearing the personal experiences of Siena's IPCC team, workshop participants had the opportunity to sketch out plans for programs at their own schools.

"The goal is to identify people in the community who would benefit from support in organizing their health care, and help them access this care, by overcoming challenges such as transportation, language, or difficulty understanding complex paperwork requirements," said White. "The students learn to serve as health navigators out in the community."

Martin noted that the high-impact experience helps equip students to "understand the complexities of issues related to health care" as they embark on careers in nursing, social work, physical therapy and other health professions, "which ultimately leads to better outcomes for individuals."