Background: 

This IPE Case study provided a scenario regarding an African American, college freshman football player. The athlete suffered a 20-foot fall from the top tier of the stadium to a metal railing sustaining a left-open, comminuted distal femur fracture. She was also unconscious for approximately 1 minute. Some fans reported that the student was, “walking like a drunken sailor,” and slurring her speech. As the student was rushed to receive care, an insulin pump was attached to the student’s belly. A continuous glucose monitor was attached to the student’s arm. Students from different disciplines were tasked to work together to provide a health plan, assessing the emergency care to treat physical care, while considering the personal and social determinants of health that could affect the patient’s recovery.

Key Study questions: 

For this project, students from the college of health sciences, professionals representing, public health, dental hygiene, cytotechnology, nursing, health services administration, and applied technology collaborated to complete a health plan for the victim of a tragic fall. Several questions were asked to engage each profession. Questions were asked to the corresponding professions, each student was required to participate and provide insightful input. Public health students needed to respond to the following questions:

1. What personal and social determinants of health could affect this patient’s course of recovery?
2. What is contact tracing and how would that be done?
3. What could be the potential impact of this diagnosis on the patient’s condition?
4. What personal, medical, and social factors need to be taken into consideration when planning for her discharge?

Method:

The work was divided per profession, then we reconvened to discuss our findings and began our report. We started by researching the social determinants of health that would impact the course of the patient’s recovery. The patient tested positive for COVID-19. This required research into contact tracing to determine how it could be done to inform those who may have been in contact with the patient. An individual noticed that the patient was slurring their speech and having difficulty walking in a straight line. The patient was only 18 and appeared to be under the influence of alcohol. Underage drinking also needed to be addressed prior to the discharge of the patient. 

Findings: 

The primary health outcome for the patient would be regaining mobility and ensuring no serious internal damage, considering she was unconscious for a minute. The patient would also need to quarantine as she did test positive for SARS-CoV-2 virus. Multiple disciplines in the public health field would be necessary for the individual to regain mobility, and prevent injuries by promoting interventions to encourage better choices.

Recommendations: 

The patient would need assistance from a physical therapist to regain mobility, following the femur fracture. It is important for our patients to be able to perform daily activities, such as sports. The patient will need education on how to properly handle her diabetes. Referrals will be needed in order to see a successful recovery.

Public health significance:

Health professionals provide access to high-quality care. Multidisciplinary collaboration is essential to the public health field. This scenario displays how different disciplines interact to deliver the appropriate care in a clinical setting while considering personal and social factors that needed to be taken into consideration for a successful discharge. An opportunity such as this allows the different sectors to gain a greater appreciation and learn how the different sectors intertwine.

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