Pediatric Sunshine Therapy Service: Creation of an Interprofessional Integrated Clinical Education Opportunity

Purpose: In recognition of the evidence and educational benefits involving interprofessional (IP) experiences and Integrated Clinical Educational Experiences (ICEE), the purpose of our clinic is to intertwine these two themes. We have created an IP ICEE entitled MUSC Pediatric Sunshine Therapy Service (PSTS) – where MUSC stands for the Medical University of South Carolina. This service provided complementary physical and occupational therapy services for children on the waitlist of the MUSC Pediatric Out-patient Clinic, which often documents a waiting time of two to three months.

Description: The MUSC PSTS is an IP ICEE pediatric experience utilizing an in place pediatric outpatient therapy space. MUSC PSTS is addressing the gap in receiving therapy services rather than children who are uninsured or under-funded due to children being typically funded through governmental or private insurance companies. Children received short-term therapy (i.e., 4 weeks) from the MUSC PSTS before transitioning to an active care status or returning to the waitlist at MUSC Pediatric Out-patient Clinic. Through this project, educational aims will enhance 1) pediatric course learning objectives and clinical performance for PT and OT students, 2) MUSC PT Pediatric Resident’s leadership and clinical instruction abilities, and 3) complement the care of children waiting for physical and occupational therapy by generating evaluative and treatment data for the MUSC Pediatric Out-patient Clinic. This project’s aim used outcomes to measure feasibility of the MUSC PSTS. The MUSC PSTS was initially funded by MUSC Department of Rehabilitation Sciences 2021 Interdivisional/Interdepartmental/Intercollege Seed Grant Program.

Summary of Use: At the conclusion of this project’s 16 weeks, all stakeholders deemed this project successful and valuable. Student feedback data included utilizing an app called “FlipGrid” which utilizes video to give a summary of their takeaways from their day in clinic. Survey data from clinicians and families that have participated were overwhelmingly positive. We have initiated the next steps to formally establish the MUSC PSTS, which may include a student board. The faculty from the MUSC Speech language pathology program have been formally invited.

Importance to Members: According to the American Council of Academic Physical Therapy (ACAPT), an ICEE is defined as “a curricular design model whereby clinical education experiences are purposively organized within a curriculum”.3 Findings indicate that following ICEE, students reported they have a better understanding of clinic operations and the roles of the IP team as well as improved confidence and communication.4 Utilizing these conclusions, implementing an IP clinic with support from clinical partners as well as in the pediatric realm is priceless to students' education and beginning to understand the innerworkings of communication with clinicians of different professions, families and fellow clinicians.