Number
434
Name
Strengthening Early Interprofessional Education Through Gross Anatomy and Clinical Correlation
Date & Time
Monday, June 8, 2026, 6:00 PM - 7:30 PM
Location Name
Oglethorpe Ballroom
Speakers
Authors
Lynoshka Caraballo-Mercado, Ponce Health Sciences University
Darah Fontanez-Nuin, Ponce Health Sciences University
Lilith Torres-Negron, Ponce Health Sciences University
Presentation Topic(s)
Instructional Methods
Description
PURPOSE
Early interprofessional education (IPE) promotes communication, teamwork,
and role clarity among healthcare trainees. Building on a pilot program
integrating medical (MD) and dental (DMD) students in gross anatomy
laboratories, this study evaluates the impact of early IPE across two
academic years. A new Head & Neck Clinical Correlation Conference,
facilitated by an otolaryngologist (MD) and an orthodontist (DMD), was
incorporated to reinforce collaborative clinical reasoning and highlight the
relevance of interdisciplinary communication for patient care.
METHODS
First-year MD and DMD students (AY 2024–2025 and AY 2025–2026) participated
in mixed anatomy laboratory groups that completed shared dissections,
collaborative prosection reviews, and peer-led presentations. Post-course
surveys assessed communication, teamwork, role awareness, and perceived
educational value through open-ended items. In AY 2025–2026, students also
completed a survey following the clinical correlation conference.
Quantitative results are being compared across years, and qualitative
responses are undergoing thematic analysis to identify trends in
interprofessional attitudes and the benefits of integrating clinical
discussion with anatomy-based IPE.
RESULTS
Preliminary findings from AY 2024–2025 show positive perceptions of
collaboration, communication, and anatomy understanding, with DMD students
reporting particularly strong benefits. Early results from the new clinical
correlation conference in AY 2025–2026 reveal increased appreciation for
MD–DMD collaboration in evaluating and managing head and neck clinical
scenarios. Initial comparisons suggest improved clarity of professional roles
and greater support for continuing IPE activities when both anatomy and
clinically focused sessions are included.
CONCLUSION
Integrating MD–DMD collaboration in gross anatomy, strengthened by
clinically oriented sessions, is feasible and educationally valuable. Early
comparisons show that structured clinical correlation activities enhance
communication, role understanding, and appreciation for interprofessional
practice. Although requiring thoughtful coordination, IPE remains essential
for meaningful integration within foundational science curricula.
Early interprofessional education (IPE) promotes communication, teamwork,
and role clarity among healthcare trainees. Building on a pilot program
integrating medical (MD) and dental (DMD) students in gross anatomy
laboratories, this study evaluates the impact of early IPE across two
academic years. A new Head & Neck Clinical Correlation Conference,
facilitated by an otolaryngologist (MD) and an orthodontist (DMD), was
incorporated to reinforce collaborative clinical reasoning and highlight the
relevance of interdisciplinary communication for patient care.
METHODS
First-year MD and DMD students (AY 2024–2025 and AY 2025–2026) participated
in mixed anatomy laboratory groups that completed shared dissections,
collaborative prosection reviews, and peer-led presentations. Post-course
surveys assessed communication, teamwork, role awareness, and perceived
educational value through open-ended items. In AY 2025–2026, students also
completed a survey following the clinical correlation conference.
Quantitative results are being compared across years, and qualitative
responses are undergoing thematic analysis to identify trends in
interprofessional attitudes and the benefits of integrating clinical
discussion with anatomy-based IPE.
RESULTS
Preliminary findings from AY 2024–2025 show positive perceptions of
collaboration, communication, and anatomy understanding, with DMD students
reporting particularly strong benefits. Early results from the new clinical
correlation conference in AY 2025–2026 reveal increased appreciation for
MD–DMD collaboration in evaluating and managing head and neck clinical
scenarios. Initial comparisons suggest improved clarity of professional roles
and greater support for continuing IPE activities when both anatomy and
clinically focused sessions are included.
CONCLUSION
Integrating MD–DMD collaboration in gross anatomy, strengthened by
clinically oriented sessions, is feasible and educationally valuable. Early
comparisons show that structured clinical correlation activities enhance
communication, role understanding, and appreciation for interprofessional
practice. Although requiring thoughtful coordination, IPE remains essential
for meaningful integration within foundational science curricula.