Collaboration between Occupational Therapy Doctorate and Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine Students: Interprofessional Education in Fall Prevention

Document Type (Journals)

Original Research

Abstract

Falls among older adults are a pervasive public health concern that requires coordinated interprofessional strategies. Interprofessional education (IPE) can enhance collaboration and role clarity among students in health professions, particularly in geriatric care, where complex medical, functional, and environmental factors intersect. The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of an IPE event involving entry-level Doctor of Occupational Therapy (OTD) and Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (DO) students focused on fall prevention in older adults. A retrospective cross-sectional design was employed to analyze written reflections from 125 students following their participation in a standardized patient IPE event. Small interprofessional groups observed a pre-recorded simulated evaluation, reviewed case materials, and developed collaborative care plans, followed by a faculty-led debrief. Reflections were analyzed using thematic analysis. Four themes captured the impact of the event on student learning: (1) Recognizing professional roles and contributions, (2) Medication management as a shared responsibility, (3) Mutual referral and team-based collaboration, and (4) Expanding understanding of fall risk. Students described gaining clarity about disciplinary scope, appreciating complementary expertise, and adopting a more holistic, person-centered conceptualization of fall risk. The DO students reported increased awareness of functional and environmental contributors to falls, while OTD students noted enhanced understanding of geriatric pharmacology and medical decision-making. Findings suggest that IPE can strengthen interprofessional communication, role identity, and collaborative reasoning among medical and allied health students. Such approaches may offer practical, scalable strategies for preparing future providers to deliver coordinated, person-centered care to older adults.

Biography

Linda Frasier, OTD, OTR/L, CLT, CAPS, CEAS is a Professor and Program Director in the School of Occupational Therapy at the Dr. Kiran C. Patel College of Osteopathic Medicine, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale.

John V. Rider, PhD, OTR/L, BCG, BCPR, ATP is an Associate Professor in the Department of Communication Disorders and Occupational Therapy, College of Education and Health Professions, University of Arkansas, and the College of Health Professions, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences.

Declaration of Interest

The authors report no declarations of interest.

Recommended Citation

Frasier, L., & Rider, J. V. (2026). Collaboration between Occupational Therapy Doctorate and Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine Students: Interprofessional Education in Fall Prevention. Journal of Occupational Therapy Education, 10 (3). Retrieved from https://encompass.eku.edu/jote/vol10/iss3/4