(152) An Interprofessional Health Professions Summer Camp As A Recruiting Tool: Husson University

Objective : To cultivate interprofessional collaboration (IPC) and attract prospective healthcare professionals through a one-day Health Professions Summer Camp targeting high school students interested in pharmacy, nursing, physical therapy, and occupational therapy.

Methods: The Husson University College of Health Professions (HUCOHP) Health Professions Summer Camp (HPSC) aimed to provide students with immersive experiences in healthcare professions and emphasize the importance of interprofessional collaboration (IPC). Through interactive sessions, a standardized patient scenario involving a high school athlete with mild concussion symptoms was portrayed. Each profession's role in patient care was demonstrated, including compounding topical products with Pharmacy faculty, conducting neurological assessments with Nursing faculty, performing balance testing guided by Physical Therapy faculty, and tailoring meal plans with Occupational Therapy faculty. Furthermore, students visited a local community pharmacy for a facility tour and engaged in a scavenger hunt for self-care products, enhancing their understanding of pharmacy practice.

Results: Fifteen campers attended the inaugural HPSC, with ten completing a post-event assessment survey gauging their perceptions of the event and interest in pursuing healthcare careers. Nine out of ten respondents reported an increased likelihood of applying to a health professions degree program at HUCOHP after the camp. Four campers expressed a heightened understanding of Occupational Therapy, and three noted interest in early workforce exposure, particularly pharmacy technician roles.

Conclusions: The HPSC at HUCOHP effectively engaged high school students in hands-on activities exploring healthcare professionals' roles while emphasizing the importance of IPC. This innovative recruitment approach holds promise in attracting and engaging potential future healthcare professionals, fostering comprehensive understanding of diverse yet complementary roles within the healthcare ecosystem, and inspiring a new generation of interprofessionals.