PP204 - Peer Teaching: A Novel Way to Incorporate AuD Students into Interprofessional Education Activities

Abstract:
Doctor of audiology (AuD) programs face increasing pressure to align learning activities with updated accreditation, certification, and licensure requirements of Interprofessional Education, and competence in professional responsibilities such as communication, training, and supervision. Finding highly salient learning activities for AuD students can be challenging; novel ways to incorporate these skills are needed. Learners will be empowered with a suggested interprofessional, peer-teaching activity where AuD students train near-peers in completing hearing screenings, with actionable steps for implementation. A detailed description and outcomes of the activity will be provided, including pre-training of AuD students using Peyton’s 4-step Approach for Skills teaching.

Summary:
Doctor of audiology (AuD) programs are tasked with preparing the future of the profession. In addition to a solid foundation in evidence-based audiologic practice, programs need to consider additional training activities that meet accreditation, licensure, and certification requirements. One area where programs face challenges is the integration of AuD students into Interprofessional Education (IPE) activities. Existing activities can have poor student outcomes and satisfaction if they lack salience and focus on co-treatment models, which may not be applicable to future audiologists. Data suggests student engagement in IPE is improved when the student can relate the activity to their envisioned traditional encounter for their field. Ideally, IPE activities also provide opportunities to develop competence in professional responsibilities such as communication and training and supervision of colleagues and future students.

This case example presents a novel model to address IPE competencies and professional responsibility development using peer teaching. A needs assessment with interprofessional faculty determined that training in hearing screening procedures and referral mechanisms was under-utilized. An existing IPE activity within the Institution, “Eye Ear Health Day”, was targeted for incorporating AuD students and fulfilling the identified need. “Eye Ear Health Day” is an established annual activity between the Nursing and Masters in Speech-Language Pathology (MS-SLP) programs that occurs over one week in the on-campus Speech, Language, and Literacy Center (SLLC). All SLLC clients receive hearing screenings by MS-SLP students coupled with nursing students who complete vision screenings. This activity provides critical screening hours to the involved students. By incorporating AuD students as peer teachers, the IPE activity could include audiology while not limiting the MS-SLP and nursing student learning experience.

AuD students underwent pre-training on peer-teaching, including introduction to Peyton’s 4-step Approach for Skills Teaching. In the IPE activity, MS-SLP students received an introductory lecture followed by small group discussions facilitated by AuD students. These groups covered hearing screening protocol, overview of the MS-SLP known clients, and hands-on equipment practice.

Preliminary data from a pre- and post- training survey suggests improved understanding of hearing screening procedures among the sixty participating MS-SLP students. Further data collection is planned for January 2025, including AuD student outcomes. Preliminary conclusions suggest this activity was successful in meeting the objectives of providing high salience to AuD students while enhancing an existing IPE activity.

This model is generalizable due to the prevalence of SLP programs at most institutions with AuD programs. Learners will be empowered to implement similar activities, establishing audiology as the expert in hearing and balance healthcare within the team. This submission is the fundamental instructional level as an introduction to the accreditation, licensure, and certification standards for IPE and professional expectations will be provided. Attendees will be led in discussion of possible mapping of the IPE activity for meeting these standards.