Jake Lindquist

[email protected] 

Brief professional description

I am an ABC Certified Prosthetist Orthotist who has worked in mid and south east Michigan.  My clinical experience has focused on addressing the needs of patients with lower extremity pathologies to improve their quality of life.  I also have a strong interest in upper extremity prosthetic care. 

How and why did you get involved?

Early in clinical practice it becomes apparent that each allied health profession is only capable of addressing a small subset of the greater needs of a patient.  To achieve the best health outcomes for the patient a team based approach must be utilized.  To form that best interprofessional team to meet the needs of your patient you must first understand the capabilities and scope of practice of other health care providers, this is where Inter-Professional Education comes in.

What do you believe are the benefits?

Simply put, patient-centric care with improved health outcomes and higher patient (and professional) satisfaction.  This can be achieved by having the necessary professionals participating in a clear and open dialog to assess the many dimensions of the patient as well as recognizing that the patient is also a key contributor to the health care team.

What has been the most memorable experience or highlight of teaching IPE so far?

The reactions and enthusiasm of the patient models who participate in these IPE events. 

Comments from the patients such as:

"Why has this not been done sooner?",

"These students have provided me with better explanations for the their proposed treatment plan and bedside manner my usual health care providers",

"I am used to being treated as the problem but today I was treated as a person." 

Students and Patient models: 

"When can we do this again?"
The education has not been limited to just the students.  In planning these events many of the facilitators have learned that we do not truly understand the capabilities and scope of practice of other professions and as a result are changing how we will approach patient care in the future.