By Mark Daly
How do prospective students learn about a day in the life of a health care professional? They attend the Interprofessional Health Care Panel hosted by the McGill Open House Planning Committee in collaboration with the Faculty of Medicine’s Office of Interprofessional Education (OIPE). During the event, held on October 21, 2018, more than 100 prospective students, their families and friends heard from seven health professionals including a speech-language pathologist, dentist, dietician, physician, nurse, occupational therapist and physiotherapist.
Attendees received a brief overview of interprofessional education in the Faculty of Medicine before the panelists each took five minutes to describe what it’s like to work in their chosen profession. A common theme among the panelists was the benefit to the patient (or client) of working with an interprofessional team. Another theme was the importance of working with support staff such as orderlies, custodians for professionals working in schools, and architects who can assist occupational therapists in designing safe physical spaces. Presentations were followed by a moderated question and answer period and questions from the audience. Despite the question period the panelists were surrounded by participants at the conclusion of the event who wanted to learn more details about each of their professions.
Two members of the OIPE participated in the event, Cynthia Perlman was a panelist speaking to the role of an occupational therapist and Mark Daly moderated the event. The OIPE is grateful to Debra Blanch from McGill Enrollment Services and the planning committee for hosting a stellar event to help promote interprofessional education and practice.
November 8, 2018