Doctors and Nurses Participate in Training at Minnesota State University, Mankato
Tuesday, June 19, 2018
Mankato Clinic doctors and nurses are participating in simulation training on team-based care at Minnesota State University, Mankato. In these videotaped sessions, an actor will play the role of a patient. The training helps team-based care providers improve the patient experience and train providers and staff who are adopting team-based care.
Dr. Colin Weerts and Dr. Katie Anderson and nursing staff are training in June. Dr. Leah Breit and Dr. J. Andrew Miller and nursing staff completed training at an earlier date.
Minnesota State University, Mankato’s College of Allied Health & Nursing already is highly advanced in the use of simulation training internally for their graduate and under-graduate students. Since the opening of the new Clinical Sciences Building, there has been a focus on offering training options for workforce partners, both the College and School of Nursing are committed to grow these training opportunities with Mankato Clinic as well as other service providers in the region. The simulation suites are equipped with B-Line Medical video equipment and software. This technology allows for live-streaming and taping of simulations that can then be reviewed later to show best practice and to improve performance of the participants.
“The partnership is a great opportunity to provide training to staff on team-based care,” said Mankato Clinic Chief Medical Officer Andrew Lundquist, DPM.
At Mankato Clinic, several family medicine providers began offering team-based care in 2017. The approach gives patients more personalized care from a team of healthcare professionals working together to meet their needs. A nurse joins the patient and provider during the appointment, documenting what is discussed and providing a clinic summary at the end of the visit. While most needs are met during the appointment, nurses make follow-up appointments and coordinate additional care. Each provider has two nurses who work together with the provider and patient.
Patient comments on team-based care have been positive. Patients say their doctor can concentrate on them instead of the computer during the appointment. Patients also express trust and confidence in their nurses. Providers can focus entirely on patients, nurses are directly involved in care, and patients can check in with their nurses by phone, email or their patient portal after the visit.
“Team-based care gives patients what they need in office visits and anticipates care. This proactive approach helps ensure that patients receive preventive health screenings and care for chronic health issues. Early detection and better management of conditions are essential to our patients’ health,” Lundquist said.
Team-based care is available from Dr. J. Andrew Miller, Dr. Leah Breit and Physician Assistant Sagan Dobie at North Mankato Family Medicine and Dr. Katie Anderson and Dr. Colin Weerts at Wickersham Family Medicine.
