SLU Students Compete in International Interprofessional Case Competition
Students from the Doisy College of Health Sciences, College for Public Health and Social Justice, and School of Medicine at Saint Louis University (SLU) recently participated in the third annual International Interprofessional Case Competition (I2C2) with other students from around the world. Students were assigned to small interprofessional teams with participants from other institutions to work through a patient case.
During the competition, students gained valuable interprofessional experience resolving
a complex clinical case with their team, which consisted of learners across cultures,
professions, institutions and countries. The teams then collaborated creatively to
develop a video sharing their team’s solution.
SLU Health Sciences student Caden Seaman; Medical Sciences student Angam Hamdan; Nutrition and Dietetics student Joseph Mrazek; Radiation Therapy student Yumin Jeong; Health Administration student Umamah Zaki, and School of Medicine students Grace Trello, Matthew Whalen, and Mickie Piechowski participated in the competition against teams with individuals representing the United States, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Egypt and South Africa. Anthony Breitbach PhD (Vice Dean, Doisy College of Health Sciences) and Katherine Mathews MD (Associate Dean of Health Systems Science, School of Medicine) served as mentors and judges for the competition.
Jeong said one of the key takeaways from the Interprofessional Case Competition is better understanding how different healthcare professions can work together and rely on each other to provide the best patient care.
“Participating in the analysis of Patient MT's case was an enlightening journey that highlighted the essence of interdisciplinary collaboration in healthcare. The confluence of diverse team backgrounds enriched our understanding of the patient's multifaceted health issues, demonstrating that a blend of knowledge sharing, critical thinking, and effective communication is fundamental to devising a comprehensive care plan. This dynamic learning experience has imprinted on me the critical role of teamwork and a holistic approach in navigating complex health scenarios, affirming their indispensable value in fostering optimal patient outcomes. Embracing these lessons, I move forward, recognizing that our collective expertise is our greatest strength in the pursuit of healthcare excellence."
Mrazek valued the unique opportunity to work across multiple professions and with different cultures, and reflected on how it would better prepare him for his career as a dietician.
“Overall, I thought it was a very interesting experience, not only because of the case, but also due to the challenges of working with a team from different countries. This presented challenges in scheduling times to meet and, perhaps more notably, challenges in determining which country's regulations to follow, as we had students from Egypt, Qatar, and America on our team. I enjoyed working with my team and it gave me valuable insight into what it is like working as dietitian with various professions. I participated because it was a unique opportunity to experience working and collaborating within a very diverse team. I hoped that in doing so, I would be able to navigate the challenges present in these settings more effectively once I inevitably find myself in them in the future.”
Whalen explained how collaborating with unfamiliar teammates from various disciplines was great practice for a future career in medicine.
“It was a great experience for learning how to network, communicate, and collaborate with others, especially given how everyone was in different time zones and of different professions. The competition also served as a meaningful way to get a better understanding of the healthcare system due to obtaining a better understanding of everyone’s roles in treating a patient.”
Dr. Breitbach likes the unique format of I2C2: “The format which requires students to come together as a team across multiple professions, countries and cultures provides a great opportunity for the students to practice care coordination and consensus building in an authentic context.”
About SLU’s Edward and Margaret Doisy College of Health Sciences:
The Doisy College of Health Sciences has provided students with the tools and education to become well-prepared healthcare professionals since 1929. The Doisy College of Health Sciences offers healthcare education at the baccalaureate, master’s, doctoral and professional levels in a variety of health-related fields.
About Saint Louis University:
Saint Louis University is a Catholic, Jesuit institution that values academic excellence, life-changing research, compassionate health care, and a strong commitment to faith and service. Founded in 1818, the University fosters the intellectual and character development of more than 13,000 students on two campuses in St. Louis and Madrid, Spain. Building on a legacy of more than 200 years, Saint Louis University continues to move forward with an unwavering commitment to a higher purpose, a greater good.