Interprofessional Collaboration

Interprofessional collaboration occurs throughout the program to better prepare students for collaborative, respectful, holistic, and solution-focused clinical practice. Below are opportunities for students to engage with other disciplines throughout the GW Doctor of Occupational Therapy program. 

U.S. Congress Members and Elected Officials

• Join the American Occupational Therapy Association for AOTA Hill Day to lobby elected officials in Congress on policy issues that impact OT practice, and people and communities, across the continuum of care. 

Biomedical Engineering Students

• Solve real-world challenges faced by individuals with physical and cognitive impairment, by creating or improving the design and functionality of assistive devices with engineering students.

Occupational Therapy Assistant Students

• Complete a case study with OT assistant students from Northern Virginia Community College.

Doctor of Physical Therapy Students

• At the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture , discuss how structural racism affects healthcare and shapes the way we care for and serve different patient populations.
• Complete a virtual co-evaluation of an infant with the infant’s parent(s).
• Complete simulations for adult rehabilitation.
• Volunteer at the White House Easter Egg Roll to support the sensory-friendly hour for children (2023-2024).

Speech-Language Pathology Students

• Design and implement a one-week summer recreational experience for autistic children.
• Complete a virtual co-evaluation of an infant with the infant’s parent(s).

Educators / Teachers

• Complete a developmental screening of children in a preschool classroom and collaborate with the teacher to develop a developmentally appropriate activity that supports the children’s developmental levels. 

Multidisciplinary Events: Medicine, Physician Assistant, Physical Therapy, Nursing, Public Health, and Pharmacy Students

• Virtually discuss a simulated patient case that resembles real-world clinical rounds to challenge assumptions, broaden perspectives, and foster future collaboration to improve patient outcomes.
• At Falls Prevention Awareness Day, perform screenings for strength, vision, balance, and blood pressure, distribute questionnaires related to fall history and diabetes risk, and provide demonstrations on home safety, seated exercises, and fall recovery techniques.
• Attend injury panels and discussions.
• Present doctoral capstone research projects at the GW School of Medicine and Health Sciences annual Research Showcase.