Susan D’Agostino
Quinnipiac University School of Nursing, USA
Title: Exploring the Influence Student Inter-professional Teams May have on Health Outcomes in Families with Special Needs Children in a Latin American Country
Biography
Biography: Susan D’Agostino
Abstract
The purpose of this project is to determine the influence a student inter-professional team approach may have on physical health outcomes (weight gain, mobility, range of motion) in families of children with complex health issues and disabilities in a Latin American country. Many universities provide students with opportunities to participate in outreach programs to Latin American countries. A literature search revealed limited data showing any impact these outreach programs have on health outcomes. Due to this lack of research, student inter-professional healthcare teams and their impact on healthcare outcomes require further exploration. A university located in New England has a long-standing affiliation with a Latin American organization whose mission is to promote leadership and empower students to have various learning opportunities within their community. The association between these two organizations will allow nursing, occupational and physical therapy students the opportunity to reach vulnerable populations including children with chronic health needs. Without this inter-professional team approach these particular families would more than likely not receive the necessary healthcare services for their children with special health care needs. World Health Organization states, “Inter-professional education occurs when students from two or more professions learn about, from and with each other to enable effective collaboration and improve health outcomes”. This research will help fill the gap on ways student inter-professional teams may positively influence physical health outcomes in families with children disabilities in a Latin American country.