This past fall health sciences students from the Duluth and Twin Cities campuses completed the online interprofessional training, COVID-19 Vaccine and Pandemic Planning.
The six-week course covered topics like COVID-19 and the COVID-19 vaccines, and the public health role in pandemics using a mix of recorded presentations, readings, interprofessional discussions, and journaling.
Co-created by Robin Austin, PhD, DNP, assistant professor in the School of Nursing, and Ann Philbrick, PharmD, associate professor in the College of Pharmacy and Medical School, the course provides an opportunity for students to learn about and work with other professions. Students from dentistry, nursing, pharmacy and public health participated in the fall semester course.
“I was interested in this course because it seemed like an interesting class where I would be able to learn about other professions and how they have been handling the COVID-19 pandemic and the vaccine,” said Emma Stockinger, a second year student at the College of Pharmacy, Duluth. “I enjoyed learning and reading about the other professions and how they approach patient care. By understanding how my colleagues in other professions think about patient care, I will be more equipped to help patients because I can make sure that the right people are involved.”
In addition to appreciating the opportunity to share experiences and perspectives with her interprofessional cohort, Amanda Kremers, RN, BSN, CCRN, says what she learned in the course has helped her engage patients and families in more meaningful conversations about COVID-19.
“I’m currently working as a registered nurse and a student in the DNP, Family Nurse Practitioner specialty program, where I get many questions about COVID-19 and the vaccine from my patients. I want to provide them with accurate and credible information,” said Kremers, who is a doctor of nursing practice student. “I will incorporate what I learned in this course by educating others on the vaccine and the pandemic. I am able to provide accurate information to my patient and families, and help them sort through all the information that is out there and provide evidence-based information to help guide them in their health care decisions.”
The COVID-19 Vaccine and Pandemic Planning course was first offered in spring 2021 to provide ‘just-in-time’ education related to COVID-19 vaccine efforts as it was unfolding in real-time.
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