Date of Graduation

Summer 8-10-2018

Document Type

Project

Degree Name

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

College/School

School of Nursing and Health Professions

Department/Program

Nursing

Program

Family Nurse Practitioner

First Advisor

Alexa Colgrove Curtis PhD, FNP-BC

Second Advisor

Jo Loomis, DNP, FNP-C, CHSE, CLC, ANLC, NCMP, CNL

Abstract

Introduction: In response to the prevalence of early childhood carries (ECC) in the United States, recommendations were established for pediatric primary care providers to routinely incorporate oral-systemic health promotion services into clinical practice. An interprofessional education project was developed between Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRNs) and dentistry students in San Francisco to assist trainees in the effective delivery of oral systemic health promotion services. Improving health promotion communication skills was identified as an area of need for both sets of learners. Therefore, the IPE activity was designed to incorporate Motivational Interviewing (MI) into the training along with pediatric oral health assessment and prevention techniques.

Methods: APRN students completed the Smiles for Life online oral health modules in preparation for the IPE. Both APRN and dentistry students completed an online MI module developed by the project lead. APRN and dentistry students were paired for two-week clinical rotations in the pediatric dentistry clinic. Pre- and post- activity surveys for MI and for the IPE were administered.

Results: Outcome data demonstrated modest improvement on interprofessional practice measures in both APRN and dentistry students, but high scores on the initial responses limited the ability to determine an effect. MI survey results showed a statistically significant improvement in APRN and dentistry students’ understanding of MI. Qualitative data indicated that the experience was useful for both sets of learners.

Discussion: Results from this project suggest that IPE activities can improve APRN and dentistry oral systemic health promotion and interprofessional practice.

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