A few weeks ago, we highlighted collaborations across disciplines brought together because of a shared passion to impact lives for the better and improve health outcomes. We love hearing about interprofessional collaborations you’re involved in and heard about several exciting opportunities from across the University.
Dr. Abby Metzler shared the Headache Care Program, led by Headache Neurology, which brings together medical, pharmacy and dental colleagues to learn from each other through a monthly headache education session, where they discuss a headache-related topic or share an important journal article related to the field, often led by learners.
Orofacial pain (jaw, mouth and facial pain) and headaches are closely related. Qiman Gao, an orofacial pain resident says, “The two conditions often aggravate each other so it’s important for us to understand headache diagnoses and get both conditions treated. The Headache Care Program adds value to our training. It’s an opportunity to get up-to-date knowledge, ask questions, get answers and bridge knowledge gaps.” Maram Taema, a TMD and orofacial pain resident added, "With the headache program we learned the importance of collaborations among healthcare professionals from different disciplines, such as neurologists, dentists, nurses, psychologists, pharmacists, physical therapists, and others. It allows for a more comprehensive evaluation of the underlying causes of headaches and the development of effective management strategies. We learn to provide a well-rounded perspective on the patient's condition and enable a comprehensive approach to treatment. The program focuses on offering a broad approach to patient care, focusing on the individual and tailoring treatment plans accordingly."
As part of their education, orofacial pain residents spend a few days in the headache clinic, rotating with a headache neurologist. This collaboration is important, as they refer patients to each other, and it is not uncommon for a patient's headache care plan to include both the medical school and the dental school. For example, a patient with chronic migraine may also have concurrent temporomandibular joint dysfunction, and the best outcome requires treatment of both.
This unique collaboration serves as a reminder that when we think interprofessionally, we can better solve problems. Each of us brings a distinct point of view, lived experience and expertise to the conversation. We’d love to hear what collaborations you’re a part of and help spread the word.
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