Interprofessional Education Commons^™

Emotional Intelligence In Physician Assistant Education: Associations With Success, Burnout And Engagement, Mickey Lebowitz, William H. Holmes

Innovations in Health Sciences Education Journal

Abstract

Background Burnout is prevalent among health care professionals and increasingly recognized among health professions students. Emotional intelligence (EQ) has been associated with reduced burnout among clinicians and learners, but data specific to physician assistant (PA) students remain limited. Methods We conducted a retrospective analysis of two overlapping cohorts of PA students from the entering classes of 2021-2023. Emotional intelligence was assessed using the Six Seconds Emotional Intelligence Inventory (SEI®). Burnout was assessed at the end of the first year using the Maslach Burnout Inventory–General Survey for Students and at the end of the second year using the Maslach Burnout …

Colorectal Cancer Screening: Implementation And Evaluation Of A Screening Algorithm In A Rural Family Practice Clinic, Mollie M. Tate, Whitney Dubas

Doctor of Nursing Practice Projects: College of Nursing

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second leading cause of cancer-related mortality in the United States and disproportionately affects rural populations. Although more than 90% of cases occur in adults older than 50 years, increasing incidence among younger adults prompted an update to national guidelines recommending screening beginning at age 45. Rural residents face multiple barriers to colorectal cancer screening (CRCS), including limited access to care, transportation challenges, lack of insurance, and absence of standardized screening processes in primary care. These barriers contribute to lower screening rates, delayed diagnosis, and poorer outcomes. Evidence demonstrates that CRCS reduces CRC morbidity and …

Patient Perceptions Of Empathy In Medical Student Encounters: Comparing Electronic And Handwritten Notetaking Methods, Harish Karthikeyan, Asad H. Siddiqui, Stacey Algren, Angellar Manguvo

Innovations in Health Sciences Education Journal

Objectives: Patient interviews are central to clinical practice, serving as both an information-gathering tool and a foundation for rapport and empathy. With the increased use of electronic documentation during clinic visits, concerns have been raised about technology detracting from the patient-clinician connection. This study examined whether medical students’ notetaking modality (electronic vs handwritten) influenced patient perceptions of empathy during clinical encounters.

Study Design: This study employed a causal-comparative approach, as student groups occurred naturally, combined with a survey design to collect data from patients.

Methods: A total of 135 student–patient encounters were analyzed at the University of Missouri–Kansas City School …

Current Status Of Msk Diagnostic Ultrasound Education In Doctorate Of Physical Therapy Programs In The United States: A Survey, Lesley Parrish Dr., Heather E. Mount, Casey Charlebois

Innovations in Health Sciences Education Journal

Musculoskeletal ultrasound (MSK-US) is a dynamic, cost-effective imaging modality increasingly integrated into Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) curricula. Despite growing interest, variability exists in the integration and implementation of MSK-US in entry-level DPT programs. This study aimed to assess the current status of MSK-US education in accredited DPT programs across the United States. A cross-sectional survey was distributed to all 294 accredited DPT programs in the U.S. via email. The survey consisted of 32 questions that addressed curriculum content, instructional methods, faculty qualifications, and barriers to implementation. Participation was voluntary, and 44 programs responded. No experimental interventions were applied. The …

Exploring The Role Of Cine-Virtual Reality In Empathy And Awareness Of Social Determinants Of Health Among Occupational Therapy Students, Leah M. Stade, Madison Mckeever, Emma Gardner, Jana L. Wardian Phd

Innovations in Health Sciences Education Journal

Understanding social determinants of health (SDOH) is crucial for Occupational Therapy students to develop empathy and deliver optimal healthcare. This study explores using web-based 360° cinematic virtual reality (cine-VR) simulations in Level I fieldwork to address SDOH education and occupational engagement before community-based exposure.

This mixed methods study involved surveys and thematic analysis of written reflections from fifty students in a distance-based program at a Midwest university. Students viewed 12 web-based immersive cine-VR modules about a client experiencing multiple SDOH impacts. Surveys were conducted at baseline, post-intervention, and 6-weeks post-intervention, measuring empathy using the Jefferson Empathy Scale and attitudes toward …

Exploring Healthcare Career Pathways: Survey Findings From The Unmc High School Alliance Program, Jana L. Wardian Phd, Rachael Jaixen, Jaynie Bird, Heidi Kaschke

Innovations in Health Sciences Education Journal

The ongoing demand for a well-prepared and adequately staffed healthcare workforce in the United States highlights the value of effective educational pipeline programs. The University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) High School Alliance (HSA) was created as an immersive, academic enrichment initiative to expose motivated high school students from a range of educational and socioeconomic backgrounds to health professions, with the long-term aim of strengthening the healthcare workforce in Nebraska. This article evaluates the design, curriculum, and measurable impact of the UNMC HSA over its 16-year history. Students participate daily throughout the school year, engaging in courses such as patient …

National Durc Capacity Building Program: A Novel Ipe Model For Responsible Life Science Research Education, Wael Elrayes, Ali Asy, Maha Farid

Innovations in Health Sciences Education Journal

This is an abstract from the Spotlight on Scholarship event in 2026.

Implementing Holographic Instruction In Multi-Campus Dpt Education, Stacie M.L. Christensen, Brad Dexter, Michael Hollins, Elisabeth Barrett

Innovations in Health Sciences Education Journal

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

Outstanding Project: Second Place Winner

Bridging The Language Gap: A Simulated Experience To Teach Communication Using Virtual Interpreters - Encore Presentation, Jessica Downes, Jessica Witt, Kristen Cook

Innovations in Health Sciences Education Journal

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

Food For Health: Nourishing Transitions, Kamryn Pfenning, Grace Beauchamp, Shauntel Nutile, Morgan Brummels, Melanie Menning

Innovations in Health Sciences Education Journal

This is an abstract from the Spotlight on Scholarship event in 2026.

A Weeklong Academic Preparedness Program Boosts Student Confidence, Community, And Readiness For Medical School, Grace Beauchamp, Samantha Simet, Sias Scherger, Kathy Schall, Yamna Channa, G. Talmon, Kirstie Bash, Aleisha Nabower

Innovations in Health Sciences Education Journal

This is an abstract from the Spotlight on Scholarship event in 2026.

Enhancing Course Development With Generative Ai: Practical Tools For Educators, Nishank Varshney, Casey Solsrud

Innovations in Health Sciences Education Journal

This is an abstract from the Spotlight on Scholarship event in 2026.

Outstanding Project: Third Place Winner

Empowering The Karen Community: Using Education To Improve Cervical Cancer Health Literacy, Grace E. Berentson, Michaela Bartels, Monica Angeletti, Jennifer Liu

Innovations in Health Sciences Education Journal

This is an abstract from the Spotlight on Scholarship event in 2026.

Exploring The Role Of Artificial Intelligence (Ai) In Immersive Virtual Reality (Ivr) Simulation In Nursing Students, Krystal Davis, Sue A. Schuelke

Innovations in Health Sciences Education Journal

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

No Escape Without Evidence: Is A Digital Escape Room An Effective Strategy To Teach The Use Of Clinical Practice Guidelines (Cpgs)?, Chelsea A. Ludwig

Innovations in Health Sciences Education Journal

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

Outcomes Of A Learning Needs Assessment Survey In The Development Of The Extension For Community Health Outcomes Model For Hiv Training In Midwestern Non-Metropolitan Areas, Duncan Works, Daniel Cramer, Elizabeth Lyden, Yue Zhan, Emmanuel Nazaire Essam Nkodo, Renae Furl, Jennifer O'Neill, Maureen Kubat, Heather Saarela, Nada Fadul, Jennifer M. Davis

Innovations in Health Sciences Education Journal

This is an abstract from the Spotlight on Scholarship event in 2026.

Stress In Medical Laboratory Science (Mls) Students: Sources, Patterns, And Implications, Marnie Imhoff

Innovations in Health Sciences Education Journal

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

Outstanding Project: First Place Winner

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.

Embedding Interprofessional Education In Pediatric Clerkships: Lessons From Nebraska’S Tracking Infant Progress Statewide (Tips) Program, Grace E. Berentson, Liliana Bronner, Paige Hardy, Neil Kalsi, Brianna Brei, Kerry Miller

Posters and Presentations: Munroe-Meyer Institute

Background: NICU graduates experience disproportionate developmental and health challenges. Their families face barriers to equitable care including access to coordinated follow-up services. Traditional medical education rarely exposes students to authentic interprofessional models of care that address these inequities. The Tracking Infant Progress Statewide (TIPS) program provides developmental, social, and medical follow-up for NICU graduates across Nebraska, bringing together physicians, nurse practitioners, child developmental specialists, and nurses in a single family-centered visit. Embedding third-year medical students into this setting models collaborative practice, builds understanding of interprofessional competencies, and fosters awareness of systemic inequities affecting NICU families. This innovative curricular approach differs …

Urology Resident Associate: A Promising Alternative For The Unmatched Urology Applicant, Jayson Kemble, Grace Handleman, Chad A. Lagrange, Christopher M. Deibert

Graduate Medical Education Research Journal

Background. Demand for urology residency spots frequently outstrips supply, with unmatched urology applicants having limited options while waiting for reapplication. We aim to demonstrate our experience with a year-long Urology Resident Associate (URA) position, which merges the role of junior resident and APP with the mission to reduce resident workload and further the training of an unmatched urology applicant.

Methods. A year-long, non-Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) accredited URA position was created at our institution in 2023 and filled by an unmatched applicant to our program. The URA was given all the roles and responsibilities of a …

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 …

Coordinating Connections: A Mixed-Methods Exploration Of Relational Coordination And Interprofessional Team Development With Health Professions Students And Survivors Of Stroke, Teresa Marie Cochran

Theses & Dissertations

The need for effective healthcare teams is widely recognized, yet strategies for team education and evaluation remain areas of ongoing investigation. This study presents a longitudinal, interprofessional tele-team learning initiative designed to enhance health professions students’ collaborative skills through Salas’ “Big Five” of Teamwork and Gittell’s Relational Coordination Theory. Additionally, the project aimed to mitigate social isolation among stroke survivors by forming nine interprofessional tele-teams composed of students from medical nutrition therapy, nursing, occupational therapy, physical therapy, and speech-language pathology. Over six virtual meetings, these teams engaged with stroke survivors, assisting them in progressing toward self-selected goals.

Using an explanatory …

Evaluating Surge Capacity In The Emergency Department: A Comprehensive Literature Review On Preparedness And Response Frameworks, Tanner J. Riscoe

Capstone Experience: Master of Public Health

Medical surge capacity in emergency departments is influenced by four critical factors: staff, stuff, space, and systems. Understanding these factors and the interplay between them is critical. Emergency departments are increasingly encountering issues with overcrowding, patient boarding, and medical surge events causing interruptions in care and depleting critical resources. Coordination of medical surge is challenging during normal operations but is intensified during times of crisis. This comprehensive literature review seeks to better understand the current state of the literature surrounding surge preparedness and response in emergency departments across the United States, identify gaps in the current literature, and ultimately recommend …

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.