Abstract:

In the field of health, there are complex challenges that require a change in the health model based on the coordination and specialization of professionals. The approach to the needs of the patient requires a multidisciplinary team. However, for this team to be effective, it must be integrated by professionals who understand their own role while understanding and valuing the role of other professionals.With the present project we wanted to teach future professionals that knowing the work of other health professionals guarantees the effectiveness of the team, allows to establish synergies and improve the individual performance of each member. This vision acquires special relevance in the treatment of the chronic patient where therapeutic coordination is decisive to guarantee optimal health care.

Thus, taking as a backbone the patient with multiple sclerosis (MS) through the Service Learning methodology, different activities were carried out to train students as members of the health team. The project involved 11 teachers and 312 students of the degrees of the Faculty of Health Sciences of the San Jorge University (Pharmacy, Nursing, Physical Activity and Sports Science and Physiotherapy).

The project was developed in two phases. In the first, activities based on the horizontal and vertical curricular integration were carried out so that the student understood his own professional role in the treatment of the patient with MS. In the second, a workshop was held in which all students were part of multidisciplinary health teams for the resolution of a clinical case and the design of a comprehensive health plan for the patient. In order to determine the impact on teachers and students, various tools were used: rubrics, surveys, questionnaires, focus group.

Among the results obtained, it is worth noting that the students valued in a very positive way the activities carried out, especially the workshop. Thus 95.8% considered that the activity will improve their future professional practice and 91.3% that allowed them to develop fundamental skills for their training. In addition, 100% of the students surveyed affirm that the activity has allowed to know and respect the work of other professionals of the health team. Finally, it is worth highlighting the direct impact on the project society since all the technical material generated was made available to FADEMA.

Keywords:

Service learning, integrative methodology, Science education, Health education.