Interprofessional Projects
Interprofessional e-health
A survey focusing on interprofessional e-health initiatives within education and clinical practice contexts across the U21 network has been undertaken and a range of case-studies documented. A draft paper informed by a brief literature review and outlining survey results was presented at the 2007 annual meeting in Hong Kong.
In 2008, the interprofessional e-health steering committee will submit a paper on interprofessional e-health to the Journal of Interprofessional Care.
A web survey is available for anyone wishing to include their interprofessional e-health activities on the current case-studies data base.
Contacts
U21 Health Sciences / United Nations Millennium Development Goal (MDG) training and education initiative
A two-day United Nations Millennium Development Goal (UN MDG) workshop took place prior to the 2008 annual meeting in Charlottesville, Virginia. Aimed at improving the lives of those in poor and less developed regions, the UN MDGs are a major focus for U21 Health Sciences and around 30 delegates participated in the workshop to further the work that is being carried out in this area. The workshop included representatives from organizations such as AIFOMD (an international foundation for educators in the UN MDGs) and the World Family Organization (WFO). A UN MDG study guide was devised for U21 medical students in 2007, and students from Hong Kong and Mexico reported on their clinical placements undertaken overseas or locally in poorer areas. Whilst gaining valuable medical experience, the students were also exposed to the critical importance of the UN MDGs in relation to good health, including the need for adequate housing and infrastructure.
In collaboration with key international bodies, members of the U21 UN MDG interest group will devise UN MDG course content for health sciences students, to be piloted in schools across the U21 network prior to next year's annual meeting. The University of British Columbia will lead the development of an overall evaluation framework. A major aim is to establish a coordinated engagement and communication strategy, with strategic links to the broader U21 network and relevant international bodies, and following U21 Secretary General Jane Usherwood's presentation at the workshop, U21 Health Sciences will liaise with the U21 Presidents' UN MDG group led by Professor Hugh Brady to advance UN MDG developments.
Contacts
Telehealth for underserved populations
The 'Telehealth for underserved populations' initiative has involved medical students to date. The aim of this project is to facilitate telehealth between doctors on-site in designated hospitals and specialists from the U21 Health Sciences network. It is anticipated that this project will be expanded to include other health sciences disciplines and additional hospitals.
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