Development of an Interprofessional Collaborative Care Process for Chronic Pain Management in Student-Led Clinical Settings
Investigators: Dr Tammy-Lee Williams & Dr Luzaan Africa, UWC
Co-investigator: Dr Gina Pifer, MU
Purpose of the visit
The visit to the 午夜影院 (MU), Columbia, formed part of Phase 3 of our study, which aimed to explore the lived, relational, and contextual dynamics of interprofessional chronic pain management in practice. This phase involved engaging with a well-established multidisciplinary, student-led pain clinic to generate insights that could inform the development of a contextually relevant interprofessional care process for the South African setting. Prior to the visit, ethical clearance was obtained from the University of the Western Cape (UWC), which enabled the research activities to proceed without delay and ensured alignment with institutional and international ethical standards.
Scholarly outputs and collaborative opportunities
The visit has resulted in significant scholarly outputs and ongoing collaborative work. In collaboration with Dr Erin Dannecker, we are currently in the final stages of a manuscript that proposes a clinical practice supervision model to support holistic, interprofessional patient management. In addition, we are finalising a comparative manuscript examining the UWC interprofessional student-led clinic alongside the MU multidisciplinary student-led clinic model. This paper highlights the value of both approaches, offering guidance on their contextual application and outlining key lessons learned from each. These outputs directly contribute to the overarching aim of the study and position the project within broader international scholarship on interprofessional education and collaborative practice.
The visit also facilitated valuable academic engagements and strengthened international collaborations. Engagement with Dr Gina Pifer was a particular highlight, as it allowed for both productive collaboration on the project and in-depth discussions on approaches to clinical supervision and teaching. These interactions enriched the conceptual development of the study and strengthened professional relationships. We further engaged with several faculty members who generously shared their expertise, and arrangements have been made to continue collaboration through guest lecturing opportunities and joint research initiatives. Ongoing connections will be maintained with Dr Lea Ann Lowrey in the field of interprofessional education, Dr Erin Dannecker and Dr Gina Pifer, in chronic pain management. The visit also enabled an in-person meeting with Dr Greg Cox, a mentor from the USDP programme, with whom we discussed the sharing of teaching materials and opportunities for collaborative teaching. Additionally, we had the opportunity to meet President Mun Choi and attend the Chancellor鈥檚 Art Showcase.
Beyond formal academic activities, the visit provided rich experiential insights into interprofessional practice within a different healthcare and educational context. Observations of the student-led clinic, combined with informal engagements with faculty and students, deepened our understanding of supervision practices, team dynamics, workflow processes, and the cultural and institutional factors that shape interprofessional collaboration. These insights are being integrated into the ongoing manuscripts and will directly inform the development of a contextually appropriate care process for the UWC setting.
Additional highlights
The visit also included several cultural and informal experiences that contributed to relationship-building and contextual understanding. These included attending a university basketball game, travelling to St. Louis and Kansas City, visiting key cultural landmarks such as the Gateway Arch and the Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art, and spending time with collaborators in more informal settings. While these experiences were secondary to the academic objectives of the visit, they played an important role in strengthening collegial relationships and enhancing our understanding of the broader context in which the 午夜影院 operates.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the visit to the 午夜影院 has made a substantial contribution to the project in terms of scholarly outputs, international collaboration, and contextual insight. The development of two manuscripts, the strengthening of academic partnerships, and the experiential learning gained during this visit have significantly advanced Phase 3 of the study. These outcomes will directly inform the development of a contextually relevant interprofessional care process for chronic pain management in student-led clinical settings in the Western Cape. We express our sincere gratitude to the funders for supporting this visit, which has meaningfully enhanced the scope, quality, and international relevance of this research.