Sixty medical, nursing and pharmacy students assemble to hear the report: a bride has called from her Hawaiian honeymoon to report that over 100 friends and relatives attending her wedding have been taken ill. In an unrelated event, a restaurant is suspected in the spread of hepatitis. These scenarios set the scene for an interdisciplinary epidemiological adventure. Each small group of students is given a packet of information and forms which direct them to meet with City public health officals including the City Health Commissioner, the Director of Infectious Diseases, epidemiologists, media representatives and "victims" of the outbreaks. Students work with faculty preceptors to interpret results, analyze attack rates, diagnose the problem(s) and suggest interventions as well as policy considerations. This one day innovative experience offers students from three different professional schools exposure to true public health problems as well as an opportunity to interact with public health officials and faculty from other disciplines. Student evaluations reveal unanticipated benefits and problems.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of the session, the participants will be able to: 1. Identify the steps in planning and organizing interdisciplinary epidemiological experience. 2. Analyze the experience in terms of student outcomes. 3. Create alternative epidemiological scenarios that might better match their academic milieu.
Keywords: Collaboration, Outbreaks
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.