CURRENT ISSUE
BACK ISSUES
SUBSCRIBE
ADVERTISE
ABOUT JCEHP
FOR AUTHORS
JCEHP AWARD
SEARCH
|
|
Volume 16 (1)
Volume 16, Issue 1, Winter 1996
J Contin Educ Health Prof 1996; 16(1):50-60
INNOVATIONS IN CONTINUING EDUCATION
Multidisciplinary Learning in Continuing Professional Education: The Heart Health Nova Scotia Experience
Karen V. Mann, PhD
Patricia Weld Viscount, BA
Anne Cogdon, BSc
Karina Davidson, PhD
Donald B. Langille, MD, MHSc
Mary E. Maccara, PharmD
A b s t r a c t
Ongoing professional learning is essential for all health professionals. This need is
increased as community-based, multidisciplinary approaches to the delivery of health care and
to health promotion and disease prevention emerge. A pilot educational program was developed
to test a model of multidisciplinary learning in heart health. A multidisciplinary professional
education committee jointly developed a case-based educational program to include physicians,
nurses, dietitians, pharmacists, social workers, and recreation professionals or health educators.
The program was developed in the context of primary health care; specific objectives were
developed using a health promotion framework. Problem-based learning was selected as the
educational approach, and the cases were developed to incorporate program objectives. Three
communities participated. Ten to 12 participants met for 2 hours weekly across 4 weeks to discuss
problems concerning individuals at high and low risk for cardiovascular diseases and heart
health in their community. The project evaluation involved direct observation, review of documentation,
pre- and postprogram questionnaires, and individual interviews. In each site, the
project met its goals; however, goal achievement varied across communities. The sessions provided
an opportunity to learn about the roles and contributions of other health professionals;
they created the basis for future collaboration, and they stimulated extensive discussion about
heart health resources in each of the communities involved. We conclude that a multidisciplinary
approach to planning and development of such a project is feasible, and that multidisciplinary
case-based learning is an effective means of acquiring new understandings and promoting health
professionals’ collaboration in addressing heart health in their communities.
Keywords: Canada, cardiovascular disease, community, continuing education, health
occupations, health promotion, multidisciplinary, problem-based learning
|