Resource Center

In the future, an increased number of the elderly with their vulnerability related to aging will demand more multidisciplinary and innovative approaches toward their care. A course called "Care of the Elderly from a European Perspective" has been developed in collaboration among several European universities with the aim of providing an opportunity for students to increase their mutual understanding of elder care. The course is based on phenomenographic research and collaborative learning as a pedagogical approach.

OBJECTIVE: This paper describes a model for interprofessional and transcultural learning established by the author and supported by the University of New England and Ghana Health Mission, Inc. The model for interprofessional immersion in cultural settings represents a guiding framework predicated on a conceptual "brick and mortar" process for building cultural proficiency among individuals and within teams. It encompasses social, clinical and behavioral components (brick) and personal desire, cultural humility and values (mortar).

As part of the Health Resources and Services Administration Patient Safety and Clinical Pharmacy Services Collaborative (PSPC), an interprofessional model with medication therapy management documentation and outcomes tracking tools (MTM-DOTT) is established to improve health care access and quality for underserved populations. Despite limitations, there have been positive outcomes and national recognitions.

PubMed URL: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22864492