The pharmacy program is introducing interdisciplinary teaching and learning (IDTL) as part of a broad-based initiative by Sahlgrenska Academy. The idea was recently tried out for a mandatory new course module that includes an examination.
During three days in February, the students worked on a module linked to IDTL issues with a focus on future teamwork and interprofessional collaboration. Teachers and representatives of the pharmaceutical profession said afterwards that the sessions had been incredibly enlightening, including discussions that clearly identified the need for practitioners to expert more influence on the healthcare system based on their expertise in the area of drugs and medications.
IDTL promotes cooperative skills and provides students with insights into the multifaceted nature of the healthcare profession. Students also have the chance to think about the how their occupation will fit into the overall picture, both now and in the future. The first module involved the pharmacy program only.
“One purpose of IDTL is to bring various groups of students together so that they can learn from each other,” says Patrik Aronsson, Chair of the Pharmacy Program Committee. “In addition, it provides them with the opportunity to talk and cooperate with various types of professionals.”
Once an evaluation has been completed, the program will decide whether to start including others as well. While collaboration between doctors, pharmacists and nurses is a worthy goal, a number of practical challenges have not yet been sorted out. Students expressed varying opinions of IDTL.
“However you look at it,” Dr. Aronsson says, “working in the healthcare field demands interactions among many different kinds of professionals. The insights that students gain at this point will prove highly useful as they embark on their careers.”