Interprofessional Education: Medical Students Create a Cadaver Lab Workshop for Nursing Students at a Neutral Cost

Cadaver labs are one of the staples of medical education in the United States, yet it is relatively uncommon for nursing students to have the opportunity to engage in the direct observation, hands-on learning, and the efficiency of the immersive environment in a cadaver-based anatomy lab. The primary aim of this project was to determine if medical students could create and deliver a cadaver lab workshop for nursing students that would provide educational benefits to both groups of students at a neutral cost. The purpose of this activity was to evaluate how a cadaver lab for nursing students could increase understanding of clinically-relevant anatomy, disease, and indwelling medical devices, while enhancing overall clinical problem-solving skills. The participants, nursing and medical students, completed a five-hour workshop followed by completion of a four-question survey of their overall learning experience and the value of the workshop from an interprofessional perspective. The surveys were analyzed individually for qualitative central themes; similar central themes were compiled by question, and overarching themes were identified and reported. Self-reflections completed by the students revealed that this shared encounter between trainees resulted in a better understanding of the visualization of the size, spatial relations, and physical interactions between organ systems; increased confidence in patient care regarding the physical exam and medical device management; and a better-perceived understanding of each profession’s approach in providing patient-centered care. Medical students may also benefit by participation in this interprofessional activity through the development of clinical teaching skills that are needed while working with patients and clinical colleagues.