Celebrating the Interprofessional Pediatric Screening Program
The Melbourne School of Health and Sciences celebrated the transformative 30-year evolution of its Interprofessional Pediatric Screening Program, emphasizing its journey from a single-discipline community service to a platform supporting students in cultivating collaborative practice skills.
On Tuesday, 22 November, Melbourne School of Health and Sciences hosted a memorable event to mark the success of the Interprofessional Pediatric Screening Program and express gratitude to our delivery partners.
Evolving over three decades, the program has grown into a well-supported initiative for students to develop collaborative practice skills, extending beyond hearing screenings to include vision or ball skills screenings. The unique program structure, where students operate independently, fosters peer feedback conversations, enhancing student readiness for interprofessional and collaborative practice.
The day unfolded with a welcoming address from Dani Tomlin, Head of the Department of Audiology and Speech Pathology, setting the stage for a day filled with appreciation, insights, and meaningful connections.
A shared lunch offered a delightful opportunity for partners, students, and faculty to connect, fostering a strong sense of community. Following this, Certificates of Appreciation were presented to the Clubs that played a pivotal role in the program's growth and impact: Rotary Club of Hampton, Rotary Club of Nunawading, Rotary Club of Greensborough, Rotary Club of Pascoe Vale, Rotary Club of Coburg, Kiwanis Club of Waverley, and Diamond Valley Lions Club. Additionally, recognition was extended to collaborators Dr Peter Carew (Audiology), Ms Carolyn Cracknell (Collaborative Practice Centre), Ms Christine Nearchou (Optometry), Dr Tandy Hastings-Ison (Physiotherapy), Dr Debra Virtue (Physiotherapy), Dr Selwyn Prea (Optometry), and Ms Jocelyn Phillips (Audiology), emphasizing the collective efforts that contributed to the program's growth and impact.
Dr. Peter Carew, Senior Lecturer in Audiology and Lead in the paediatric screening program spoke about effective feedback, emphasizing the importance of developing feedback literacy among students. He highlighted how this skill is not only essential for the future health workforce but also contributes to broader life skills.
The highlight of the event was the heartfelt testimonies from Vivianne and Jessie, both students who actively participated in the interprofessional screenings. Vivianne emphasized the significance of exposing young children to a different style of healthcare. Reflecting on her own experiences, she noted, "The informal nature of the screening event is a good opportunity to show children that healthcare isn't all that scary. It was really nice to see many children happy to engage and have fun, dispelling the notion that healthcare is solely about tests and medicines."
Jessie, an audiology student, warmly reflected on the transformative impact of the day, deeming it pivotal in her audiology student journey. Conducting the hearing screening independently marked a crucial milestone, and the exchange of feedback with an optometry student provided valuable insights into a different healthcare profession. Despite the apparent disparities between audiology and optometry, Jessie emphasized shared aspects of patient communication and the cultivation of a holistic approach to patient care.
Both Vivianne and Jessie extended deep gratitude to everyone involved in organizing and setting up these screenings, highlighting the invaluable opportunity to learn and contribute to the community. Notably, Jessie underscored the key message of the interprofessional screenings, emphasizing the benefits for students placed with peers from different disciplines and engaging in meaningful feedback conversations.
The day concluded with a thoughtful discussion about the strengths and challenges of the program, balancing the needs of community, health science students, and volunteer clubs. The dialogue aimed at refining the program's structure, ensuring it continues to be a positive and impactful experience for all involved.
As the event drew to a close, it left attendees with a sense of accomplishment and a shared commitment to the future of healthcare. The Melbourne School of Health and Sciences looks forward to building upon this success, fostering collaboration, and making a lasting impact on the community.