Unlocking the Power of Teamwork: How Wheeling University Students Discover Collaborative Skills in Health Care

Photo by: Joselyn King

Wheeling University held its ninth-annual Interprofessional Education Training Day, where students learned the importance of teamwork in healthcare.

On Sunday, Wheeling University students gathered to see how various healthcare professionals collaborate to improve patient care. This event brought together students from different health science programs, all eager to learn from each other.

The Interprofessional Education (IPE) training day, now in its ninth year, featured participants from athletic training, nursing, exercise science, and physical therapy. Faculty mentors and local healthcare experts joined in to provide guidance.

A panel of professionals shared their insights, including:

• Matthew Burke, clinical specialist in neurological physical therapy
• Michelle Tracy, case manager for The Health Plan
• Caroline Beckwith, family nurse practitioner at WVU Medicine
• Dr. Tim Knierim, medical director at WVU Medicine.
• Ryan Rafa, certified physician assistant
• Faith Czmiel, athletic trainer and EMT
• J. Lance Tarr, exercise science and athletic training professor

During the event, students worked in groups to create a multidisciplinary treatment plan for a fictional 20-year-old female soccer player who primarily speaks Spanish. This hands-on approach emphasized the need for clear communication among healthcare professionals.

Krissy Grubler, an assistant clinical professor of physical therapy and one of the organizers, explained the goals of the training day. “Students interact with clinicians to learn how to work together for the best patient care,” she said. Understanding the intertwined roles of different healthcare fields is crucial for effective collaboration.

Grubler highlighted that while students might excel in their individual disciplines, successful patient care depends on sharing information and supporting each other. “Teamwork is essential,” echoed Nathan Harshberger, an athletic training instructor. Without it, patient care can fail.

The forum also tackled the challenges of leadership in patient care. Students learned strategies to resolve conflicts when determining who takes charge of a patient’s care. This learning experience aimed to strengthen their ability to collaborate as future healthcare providers.