Scholarship of Teaching and Learning Commons^™

The Value Of Establishing Connections Between Clinical And Research Settings For The Next Generation Of Neuropsychologists And Neuropsychology Consumers, Pamela May-Weeks

Innovations in Health Sciences Education Journal

Poster presented at the 2026 Spotlight on Scholarship at the University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska.

Evaluating Current Practices In Operative Nontechnical Skills Training And Feedback In General Surgery Residency: A Mixed Methods Approach, Madeline Cloonan

Theses & Dissertations

Background: Non-technical skills (NTS) are the interpersonal and cognitive abilities that are critical to accomplishing high-risk tasks. Deficiencies in NTS, including communication, teamwork, leadership, and decision-making, are linked to errors in the operating room. Structured training and feedback in NTS remain inconsistent and have not been integrated into daily training. This dissertation addresses this gap by evaluating current NTS training and feedback practices and developing a rubric to enhance the effectiveness of NTS feedback.

Methods: We conducted five complementary studies to assess current NTS training and feedback. The first was a systematic review aimed at identifying intraoperative NTS training interventions …

Developing A Curriculum Audit Tool For Justice, Equity, Diversity, And Inclusion In Occupational Therapy Education, Whitney M. Cranna, Sarah Mckinnon

Translational Science in Occupation

Background: The OT profession is calling for intentional pedagogy that builds future practitioners’ capacity for embodying justice, diversity, equity, and inclusion (JEDI) values; however, the interpretation and application of this mission remain subjective and nebulous. Developing a theory-driven audit tool may help standardize and clarify JEDI pedagogy needs to enhance OT preparation and practice.

Objective: Using a culturally responsive, justice-based theoretical lens, this paper describes the development of a JEDI Curriculum Audit Tool for a Post-Professional Doctor of Occupational Therapy (PP-OTD) program.

Design: Quantitative systematic evaluation of curricular alignment with JEDI principles, including a 3-prong retroactive self-evaluation approach.

Setting: Curriculum …

Enhancing Learning Through Role-Play In A Low-Fidelity Disaster Simulation, Susan S. Braithwaite, Susan J. Barcinas, Colleen A. Hayes

Innovations in Health Sciences Education Journal

ABSTRACT

Background: This report shares a best practice approach to low-fidelity simulation as a pedagogical method in disaster triage training for undergraduate nursing students.

Methods: This study utilized multi-year quantitative data such as student age, gender, GPA, prior simulation experience, and self-reported confidence in the START Triage application. It also utilized a secondary qualitative analysis of the debriefing process.

Results: Students who participated in a simulation event playing the role of a disaster victim scored significantly higher on subsequent performance as TRIAGE practitioners than students without roleplay experience. Perhaps even more compelling, these learning outcomes were demonstrated 18 months after …

Enhancing Care Through Occupational Therapy: Implementing Services At The Unmc Sharing Clinic, Mackenzie Post, Nancy Krusen, M. Nicole Martino

Interprofessional Academy of Educators Spotlight on Scholarship

The Kaiser Family Foundation reports 121,800 uninsured persons in Nebraska in 2023, with 26% of residents below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level. The Student Health Alliance Reaching Indigent Needy Groups (SHARING) clinic is a pro bono clinic run by student volunteers at UNMC. The SHARING Clinic provides primary health care to uninsured and underserved individuals in the Omaha, NE area. As of January 2025, occupational therapy students and faculty have joined medical, physician associate, pharmacy, laboratory, nursing, psychiatry, physical therapy, and medical nutrition as care partners for the community. The purpose of our poster is to highlight how we …

Exposure Of Tracheostomy Education Well-Received During Pre-Clinical Head And Neck Physical Exam Course, Tony Satroplus, Jayme Dowdall, Chris Bingcang, Tony Richa, Katie Geelan-Hansen

Interprofessional Academy of Educators Spotlight on Scholarship

Objective: Previous tracheostomy education programs have focused on many healthcare personnel populations including non-surgical residents and senior level medical students. However, the impact of tracheostomy educations programs on pre-clinical medical students has not been investigated. This pilot QI study aims to demonstrate that a concise hands-on tracheostomy education course can provide pre-clinical medical students adequate instruction and improve confidence in providing care for tracheostomy patients.

Methods: This pilot quality improvement study included academic otolaryngologists across multiple subspecialties providing concise hands-on tracheostomy education as part of a mandatory head and neck physical examination course for all medical students. A mannequin with …

Simulating Vascular Emergencies In Robotic Surgery: Preparing Ob-Gyn Residents For Surgical Complications, Jami Monico, Macy Thonen, Lindsey Mcalarnen

Interprofessional Academy of Educators Spotlight on Scholarship

Objective: To teach and prepare obstetrics and gynecology (OB-GYN) trainees for rare, vascular emergencies that can occur during robotic surgery before they encounter such a stressful intraoperative event. We sought to create, evaluate, and implement two inexpensive vascular bleeding models for robotic gynecologic surgery simulation.

Design: Using readily available materials such as plastic tubing, twisting balloons, foam, a suction container, and a small water pump, we created two vascular bleeding models. A small diameter vessel was made with 2- and 3-mm tubing and secured to a foam uterus. A larger diameter vessel using twisting balloons was then secured to a …

Transitions Into Gme Program Leadership Roles In Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine: Opportunities For Improvement, Courtney Kiser Mclean, Jennifer M. Brady, Megan Gray, Erynn Bergner, C. Lydia Wraight

Interprofessional Academy of Educators Spotlight on Scholarship

Introduction: Graduate Medical Education (GME) leadership can be a rewarding and valuable career path. Strong, skilled leadership is critical to the success of any training program. Despite this, there are few requirements and minimal guidance to prepare for GME leadership roles.

Aims: Identify pathways into Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine (NPM) GME leadership roles and describe the needs of incoming program leaders.

Methods: The Organization of Neonatal-Perinatal Training Program Directors (ONTPD) distributed an annual anonymous survey to all NPM programs in September 2024. Quantitative questions utilized descriptive statistics. For free text responses, thematic qualitative analysis was utilized to summarize the findings. Coding discrepancies …

Improving Information Literacy And Research Skill Instruction Through Peer Consultation, Kimberly Harp

Interprofessional Academy of Educators Spotlight on Scholarship

The team at McGoogan Health Sciences Library at the University of Nebraska Medical Center utilized Design Thinking methodology to improve instructional training of library faculty. The Education & Research Services team developed a 5-step peer consultation process to standardize how feedback on instruction is solicited and given. The instigation of this process has led to increased discussions on instructional pedagogies and assessment of instruction, collaboration, and instructional innovation across multiple departments within the library. The process has been adapted to provide feedback in multiple contexts, led to the standardization of certain aspects of instructional design, and has assisted with the …

Fortify-Med: Fostering Ongoing Research Training In First-Year Medical Students, Colman Isaac Freel, Rebekah Rapoza, Troy Suwondo, Wenxian Zhou, Kaeli Samson, Jesse L. Cox, Geoffrey Talmon, Kari L. Nelson

Interprofessional Academy of Educators Spotlight on Scholarship

Physicians are valuable contributors to the biomedical research process with unique perspectives that enhance the translatability of research to patient care. The benefit of physicians in biomedical research is further realized in the expansion of team science, which has reshaped the landscape of translational research and elevated the ability of PhD scientists to work with human populations and samples. Despite these merits, recent studies have demonstrated falling levels of research engagement amongst physicians, which has significant implications for the future of biomedical discovery and evidence-based medicine. To address this issue, we developed the FORTIFY-Med initiative, a pilot project designed to …

Descriptive Analysis Of Student Diagnostic And Documentation Skill Development In A Low Fidelity Simulation In Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Education, Nicholas Guenzel, Daisy Dai

Interprofessional Academy of Educators Spotlight on Scholarship

Introduction: Nursing educators face challenges in helping registered nurses prepare to be psychiatric nurse practitioners. Nursing educators must consider the variation of students’ skill sets, experience levels, and the shortage of preceptors. Simulations can help overcome limited clinical sites and standardize skill acquisition. High-fidelity simulations can be helpful but are labor-intensive and expensive. Low-fidelity simulations are adaptable to fit the learning needs of psychiatric nurse practitioner students but little research has evaluated these simulations.

Objective: This paper evaluates a series of low-fidelity interventions used to help students learn diagnostic criteria, treatment decisions, and documentation.

Methods: A retrospective descriptive analysis was …

An Innovative Approach To Operating Room Simulation With Dental Hygiene Student Preparedness And Awareness: An Iexcel Interprofessional Pilot Project, Jane M. Broekemeier, Amanda Dolen, Lisa J. Moravec

Interprofessional Academy of Educators Spotlight on Scholarship

Introduction/Purpose: This study examines the preparedness, awareness, and empathy of senior dental hygiene students during an operating room simulation at UNMC’s iEXCEL. A lack of confidence and limited hands-on learning opportunities in the operating room rotation contribute to anxiety, restricting students’ ability to develop essential clinical competencies. To address this issue, a convergent mixed methods approach was used to evaluate the impact of simulation-based learning of a dental surgical case on students' readiness for real-world scenarios while fostering empathy for special needs patients requiring treatment under general anesthesia.

Methods: A total of 23 second-year dental hygiene students participated in pre- …

Ai And Ot: Preparing Future-Ready Practitioners, Jensen Antilla, Nancy Krusen, M. Nicole Martino, Stacy Smallfield

Interprofessional Academy of Educators Spotlight on Scholarship

Aim of the project:

1. To assess current state of artificial intelligence (AI) within occupational therapy (OT) practice, education, and research
2. To support the departmental AI readiness of the University of Nebraska’s Medical Center’s OT program
3. To create a student resource empowering integration of ethical and beneficial use of generative AI technologies in the curriculum

Data collection: Researchers are pursuing several avenues of data collection including conducting a scoping review, and semi-structured interviews and surveys with faculty, administrative staff, and students. Analysis will include qualitative and quantitative findings compiled into a needs assessment report.

Student resource: Topics covered in the student …

Ai And Ot: Preparing Future-Ready Practitioners, Jensen R. Antilla, Nancy E. Krusen, Nicole Martino, Stacy Smallfield

Innovations in Health Sciences Education Journal

This is an abstract from the Spotlight on Scholarship event in 2025.

Simulating Vascular Emergencies In Robotic Surgery: Preparing Ob-Gyn Residents For Surgical Complications, Jami Monico, Macy Thonen, Lindsey Mcalarnen

Innovations in Health Sciences Education Journal

This is an abstract from the Spotlight on Scholarship event in 2025.

An Innovative Approach To Operating Room Simulation With Dental Hygiene Student Preparedness And Awareness: An Iexcel Interprofessional Pilot Project, Jane M. Broekemeier, Amanda Dolen, Lisa J. Moravec

Innovations in Health Sciences Education Journal

This is an abstract from the Spotlight on Scholarship event in 2025.

Exposure Of Tracheostomy Education Well-Received During Pre-Clinical Head And Neck Physical Exam Course, Tony Satroplus, Jayme Dowdall, Chris Bingcang, Tony Richa, Katie Geelan-Hansen Md

Innovations in Health Sciences Education Journal

This is an abstract from the Spotlight on Scholarship event in 2025.

Transitions Into Gme Program Leadership Roles In Neonatal-Perinatal Medicine: Opportunities For Improvement, Courtney Mclean, Jennifer M. Brady, Megan Gray, Erynn Bergner, C. Lydia Wraight

Innovations in Health Sciences Education Journal

This is an abstract from the Spotlight on Scholarship event in 2025.

Enhancing Care Through Occupational Therapy: Implementing Services At The Unmc Sharing Clinic, Mackenzie Post, Nancy E. Krusen, Nicole Martino

Innovations in Health Sciences Education Journal

This is an abstract from the Spotlight on Scholarship event in 2025.

Improving Information Literacy And Research Skill Instruction Through Peer Consultation, Kimberly Harp

Innovations in Health Sciences Education Journal

This is an abstract from the Spotlight on Scholarship event in 2025.

Fortify-Med: Fostering Ongoing Research Training In First-Year Medical Students, Colman Freel, Rebekah Rapoza, Troy Suwondo, Wenxian Zhou, Kaeli Samson, Jesse L. Cox, G. Talmon, Kari Nelson

Innovations in Health Sciences Education Journal

This is an abstract from the Spotlight on Scholarship event in 2025.

Descriptive Analysis Of Student Diagnostic And Documentation Skill Development In A Low Fidelity Simulation In Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner Education, Nicholas Guenzel, Hongying Dai

Innovations in Health Sciences Education Journal

This is an abstract from the Spotlight on Scholarship event in 2025.

Psychological Safety And Clinical Reasoning In Athletic Training And Physical Therapy Clinical Education: A Nationwide Survey Of Student Perception, Kelsey J. Robinson, Heather David, Beth Kinslow, Jennifer Austin

Innovations in Health Sciences Education Journal

Psychological safety contributes to effective learning environments in healthcare, where clinical experiences foster the development of clinical reasoning skills needed for accurate patient care decisions. Inadequate clinical reasoning skills may lead to misdiagnosis and inappropriate patient care decisions, resulting in poor outcomes and unnecessary costs. This study examines the effect of psychological safety on clinical reasoning within athletic training and physical therapy clinical experiences. A quantitative, cross-sectional survey assessed perceptions of psychological safety and clinical reasoning among Doctor of Physical Therapy and Master of Athletic Training students and recent graduates. Survey measures indicated good reliability (a = .83 and .85). …

Feasibility, Acceptability, And Satisfaction Of Redcap As A Tool For Interprofessional Education, Ross J. Bindler, Skye Mckennon, Connie M. Remsberg, Jennifer C. Miller, Marian Wilson

Innovations in Health Sciences Education Journal

Interprofessional education (IPE) is an important component of health science training. Ensuring all students have access to necessary information prior to, during, and following simulation-enhanced IPE (Sim-IPE) activities is imperative to ensure a beneficial learning environment and student engagement. Ensuring access to necessary materials can be difficult due to differences in educational resources between institutions. This manuscript will assess the feasibility, acceptability, and satisfaction of using Research Electronic Data Capture (REDCap) as an educational tool for a Sim-IPE activity. After a pilot Sim-IPE activity, data from student evaluations was reviewed. Updates were made including use of REDCap as a universally …

Translating Knowledge Of Functional Cognition Into Occupational Therapy Practice, Mckenzie R. Behrendt, Emilea Rogers, Azia Ourada, Sara Mengler, Mackenzie Post, Stacy Smallfield

Translational Science in Occupation

Functional cognition is a critical component for safely and effectively performing daily occupations. Occupational therapy (OT) practitioners are uniquely positioned and trained to address functional cognition while considering a client’s abilities and environments. A multimedia e-learning module was developed as a teaching modality to enhance understanding and application of functional cognition concepts for OT students and practitioners. As educators, it is important to assess the effectiveness of the teaching and learning experiences we create. We evaluated the multimedia e-learning module for quality, value, and usefulness using critical reflection perspectives. These perspectives included a literature review, as well as from learner, …

Examining Change In Burnout And Empathy Among Physician Assistant Students During The Clinical And Didactic Years, Jannelle Reynolds, Kimberly Gomes, Nicole M. Sleddens, Jana L. Wardian Phd

Innovations in Health Sciences Education Journal

Few studies investigate how burnout affects physician assistant's student empathy. This study aimed to determine the degree of burnout and empathy in didactic PA students as compared to burnout and empathy in their clinical year.

Methods: One cohort of PA students at a Midwestern university were surveyed twice during their education. Once during didactic and once during the clinical year. Two surveys were used to assess burnout and empathy.

Results: Our findings showed moderate to high levels of emotional exhaustion and depersonalization at the end of the didactic phase and significant improvement in lack of personal achievement and emotional exhaustion …

Immediate Vs Delayed Feedback In A Progressive Musculoskeletal E-Module Case For Clinical Reasoning Development, Megan Frazee, Krista Gipson, Elizabeth Lyden, Stephanie Langel

Innovations in Health Sciences Education Journal

Introduction: Clinical reasoning (CR) skills are essential when preparing healthcare students to transition to clinical practice. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of feedback timing within a case-based learning (CBL) e-module. The secondary aim was to examine the longitudinal impact on student performance within a standardized patient (SP) simulation and their overall course grade at the end of the semester.

Review of Literature: Feedback is a powerful teaching method to improve student learning. However, there are highly conflicting results regarding the best frequency and timing of feedback. This may be influenced by the level of the …

Unmc Quick Checks: An “Opt-Out” Model For Health Profession Student Appointments With Mental Health Counseling Services, Hannah K. Tandon Md, Taylor J. Kratochvil Md, Ms, Katherine L. Keiser Ms, Limhp, Nicole J. Kent Bs, Kaitlyn E. Schultis Bs, Jeffrey W. Knapp Msw, Jeffrey P. Gold

Innovations in Health Sciences Education Journal

Background: Health professions trainees experience high rates of anxiety and depression but are often reluctant to seek help. Institutional outreach during pre-clinical training may identify vulnerable students, improve resource awareness, and destigmatize psychological counseling. The University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) Quick Check program is a novel opt-out program connecting health professions students to mental health counselors.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to evaluate student perceptions and utilization of mental health resources after participation in the UNMC Quick Check program.

Methods: For this limited pilot study, second-year pharmacy students were assigned to UNMC Quick Check appointments with UNMC …

The Impact Of A Living With Diabetes Experience On Students' Attitudes And Perceptions, Kristen Cook, Jessica Downes

Innovations in Health Sciences Education Journal

This is a published abstract from the UNMC Spotlight on Scholarship 2024.

Are You Ready? Assessing The Impact Of Online Professional Development On Health Professions Educators' Readiness And Knowledge For Online And Blended Teaching, Tanya M. Custer

Innovations in Health Sciences Education Journal

This is a published abstract from the UNMC Spotlight on Scholarship 2024.