The QU Health Interprofessional Education Committee (IPEC) at Qatar University (QU) organized recently its third IPE activity, entitled Interprofessional Education Activity on Smoking Cessation.
Students from different healthcare programs in QU, and University of Calgary- Qatar (UCQ) participated in this activity including 150 students and 30 facilitators. 123 students participated from QU Health colleges and 27 students from the University of Calgary- Qatar.
The activity aims to help students learn and respect the role and responsibility of each profession. An important factor was for students to comprehend different healthcare scopes and functions. Students also communicated in a collaborative and responsible manner and included all stakeholders in the decision-making process regarding smoking cessation, which is an essential topic for Qatar’s healthcare system. This IPE event provided the opportunity for students from public health, biomedical science, medicine, and pharmacy to develop skills in working collaboratively. Students shared their knowledge about the prevalence of smoking worldwide, trends in smoking over time, its impact on health and well-being, and strategies to assist people to quit smoking.
Students had the opportunity to work interprofessionally to understand the smoking cessation process while reflecting on the role of their professions. They implemented the 5 A’s Model for Treating Tobacco Use and Dependence, which is an evidenced-based smoking cessation practice that can be used by any health professionals and implemented as part of a routine visit; to help in smoking withdrawal through a role-play with the facilitators. The 5A model consists of: Asking about tobacco use; advise to quit; assess willingness to make a quit attempt; assist in quit attempt and arrange.
Dr. Lily O’Hara, the lead facilitator for the event and Associate Professor of Public Health at College of Health Sciences says, “The IPE event was highly successful in achieving the learning outcomes of students learning with, from, and about each other’s roles in reducing the harms from tobacco use. Students shared knowledge about the extent of tobacco use and tobacco-related deaths around the world, trends in use in different regions, and global and national strategies to reduce tobacco-related disease and death. Students then worked together in a role-play to help their client (played by the group facilitator) stop smoking. In addition to developing skills in assisting the client, the students learned that all health professions have a role in providing smoking cessation support, which is one of the components of the International Framework Convention on Tobacco Control.”
Dr Sharah Haque, Assistant Professor from the University of Calgary-Qatar commented saying, “The IPE event was an optimal opportunity for students from various disciplines to come together to collaborate and learn. In our group, dental health, public health, pharmacy and nursing were represented. Students contributed to the role-play scenario in a manner that was only possible from the uniqueness of their specialty. The group also bonded during our introduction activity as we explored common ground on our similarities and embraced our differences. The takeaways from the IPE role-play scenario was that each discipline could unique contribute to bettering patient health and outcomes. In addition, social determinants of health play a major role in the choices, lifestyle and decisions surround health, that individuals make. When promoting healthy lifestyle, it is imperative to explore underlying causes, which may influence patient’s choices. It was a pleasure to meet curious and vibrant students.”
Mariam Qaddoumi, second year biomedical student from the College of Health Sciences said, “IPE gave us an idea about what I’m going to deal with in my future career, helped me in discussing with others and share ideas and enhance my critical thinking and creativity. I’m grateful for having this experience, and won’t miss any chance to participate again and enrich my abilities and skills even more.”
Source: Qatar University