Abstract
Local Mentor: Glenna Bett, PhD APGO Advisors: Jody Steinauer, MD, MAS, and Sonya Erickson, MD To ascertain how obstetrics and gynecology (Ob-Gyn) clerkships incorporate interprofessional education (IPE) into the curriculum and Ob-Gyn clerkship directors' opinions regarding IPE. The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) identified IPE as a “horizon issue.” Literature review revealed 6 publications regarding IPE focused on the Ob-Gyn clerkship from the United States, Canada and United Kingdom. Most publications on IPE in Ob-Gyn investigated resident and attending perspectives. The study used an online survey of Ob-Gyn clerkship directors at English-speaking LCME-accredited allopathic medical schools identified through the AAMC's website. Clerkship directors were identified through institutions' websites. The survey contained 16 questions about clerkship structure, if/how IPE activities are conducted, and clerkship director attitudes regarding IPE. One hundred fifty-four eligible medical schools were identified; 237 invitations were sent and 84 complete responses received. Seventy-two percent of clerkship directors believed that IPE should be included in the Ob-Gyn clerkship; 25% were unsure, and 4% did not. However, only 54% of Ob-Gyn clerkships incorporated IPE activities, 39% did not, and 7% planned to do so. The most common IPE activities were joint didactic sessions (58%) and interprofessional patient rounds (47%). The main barrier to implementing IPE was difficulty coordinating schedules (78%). The majority of respondents believed IPE should be included in the Ob-Gyn clerkship and had already done so. This is the first study to address practices and attitudes regarding IPE in the Ob-Gyn clerkship, a strength being its broad reach across LCME-accredited institutions. Potential weaknesses include response biases.