Interprofessional Experience Service Project

Overview

Our accrediting body, CEPH requires interprofessional experience, and this type of expertise is looked for by employers. Modern public health is a team activity.  The World Health Organization defines interprofessional collaboration as “multiple health workers from different professional backgrounds working together with patients, families, caregivers, and communities to deliver the highest quality of care.” As a future professional, you will be in situations where collaboration is essential.

Instructions

This is an experiential learning assignment, in which you are required to develop and implement an interprofessional experience service project. The student will engage in a service project that includes interprofessional collaboration and a minimum of 8 hours of service within the community, and a reflection assignment.

The interprofessional experience project will include the following components:

Part 1: Service Project

The student will identify a need in their local community and complete no less than 8 hours of public, community, or civic service within a setting that supports the ability to contribute public health insights. The student will collaborate with health care professionals outside of their current field of study on the service project. Examples include clinics, hospitals, community centers (I prefer this), non-profit agencies, businesses, or government agencies/buildings.

 The most important aspect to understand is that whatever you do, you MUST be able to contribute your public health insights and work with other professionals in their role. For example, volunteering at a food bank packaging food, while nice and good for the community, doesn’t meet those requirements. We are looking for a higher level of engagement then simply volunteering. An example of what we are looking for is: educating local restaurants/chefs on public health benefits of reducing food waste and working with them to create ways to do so. (Please do not use this example for your project).

Part 1 (about 100-200 words): Choose the setting for which you would like to complete your 8 hours of service for the interprofessional experience project and submit your request for approval.

When you submit your site selection to the assignment link, do so in a word document. Include the following information in your submission:

1. Name the site that you will be working at – the name of the organization, location of the organization, and mission of the organization.
2. What your role will be, and specify in detail what you will be doing, as you understand it at this time. Clearly identify how you will contribute public health insights.
3. Name the professionals you working with and how this is outside of your current field of study.

Be sure to review the grading rubric before submission to ensure you are meeting all requirements.