(PO-145) Interdepartmental Collaboration Project: How to Initiate Teamwork between Departments

Author: Evren Kilinc, D.D.S. – Faculty, Nova Southeastern University College of Dental Medicine
Author: Saynur Vardar-Sengul, D.D.S., Ph. D.
Author: Toshihisa Kawai, D.D.S., Ph. D. – Faculty, Nova Southeastern University College of Dental Medicine
Author: Shawn McClure, D.D.S., M.D. – Faculty, Nova Southeastern University College of Dental Medicine
Submitter: Evren Kilinc, D.D.S. – Faculty, Nova Southeastern University College of Dental Medicine

Purpose/

Objectives: At NSU CDM, a new initiative was established aiming to increase the collaboration between departments to enhance education and research. The aim was to be more aware of what other disciplines are focusing on in order to reduce repetition and redundancy in the curriculum.

Methods: Department Chairs Committee Zoom virtual meeting platform was efficiently utilized to get each of the 10 Department Chairs in one-on-one meetings. That required a complex scheduling mechanism where 45 meetings at 10-minute durations were held within a 2-hour time frame, as 5 simultaneous meetings at once. Forms were created and were sent electronically prior to the meeting to increase efficiency. In meetings, 3 areas were discussed for potential collaboration in both predoctoral and post graduate education: Team-teaching, writing multidisciplinary case-based questions and research. Each Chair filled out separate forms for the 9 meetings they attended. All data were gathered and organized electronically to compile one single reference document for the institution.

Results: A total of 180 proposals were obtained from the 45-meetings. Each proposal contained approximately three ideas/opportunities. All data were organized separately in a collective document. Additionally, data were categorized for each department to be distributed to their responsible parties for taking action plans. Progress forms were created to use as a guide for record-keeping. Each Chair was tasked with following-up on the progress of action plans. Six-month follow-up meeting was organized to evaluate the progress. This dynamic project was very well received. This unique format helped increase interdepartmental communication and opened new doors for many possible collaborations in a short amount of time after its initiation.

Conclusions: This proactive initiative and its complex scheduling mechanism can be shared among various dental schools for future implementations. It can be a prototype for future possibilities in research and education in dentistry.