MOQC held the first education sessions to promote interprofessional development and learning in May 2024. Aimee Ryan, patient navigator and former medical assistant, from Ascension Great Lakes Cancer Management Specialists led nearly 50 attendees through the importance of tobacco cessation including how to connect patients with resources for quitting smoking, methods of documentation to promote team communication and follow up, and how to find success despite challenges.
“It can be very challenging [to quit smoking], that is why as a team we keep up on the patients that continue to smoke and remind them of the resources as well as keeping positive for the ones that are trying to quit. I think it is important for the patient to know there are resources out there and they are not alone.” – Aimee Ryan
A variety of medical team members joined the sessions including medical assistants, receptionists, administrators, nurses, and care navigators. All attendees that completed a post-session survey reported they were somewhat or extremely satisfied with the session and that they would be likely to attend a similar event by MOQC in the future. Participants also shared that they enjoyed learning from someone who is in a direct patient care role, that the talk was easy to follow, and that solid examples were provided to assist in care.
“I liked hearing specific examples of patient stories or specific interventions that I could try.” – Attendee feedback
The next MOQC-offered interprofessional development opportunity will be held in September with The Michigan LGBTQ+ Elders Network or MiGen. MiGen offers training and credentialing for those who want to gain a better understanding of how to work with LGBTQ+ older adults or caregivers and develop or expand efforts to make their care more LGBTQ+-friendly. CEUs will be offered for this training. Training also meets the medical licensure Implicit Bias requirement.