Occupational Therapy & Respiratory Therapy students collaborated in interdisciplinary learning

Cincinnati State’s “Disaster Day” experience isn’t the only example of interdisciplinary learning activities for students in Health & Public Safety programs. In October 2025, Respiratory Care (RC) and Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) students came together for a hands-on, collaborative learning experience in the Health Simulation Lab on Clifton Campus.

Faculty members Toni Durban (OTA) and Julie Klensch (RC) designed the unique lab session to help students experience what it’s like to work with other disciplines, while also learning from each other about their unique roles in patient care, and increasing their ability to advocate for their professions. 

OTA students shared their expertise in safe patient handling by teaching the RC students techniques for bed mobility, transfers, and repositioning patients in bed. In return, the RC students introduced OTA students to key respiratory care skills, including how to use oxygen safely, set up a nasal cannula, and even how to start an oxygen tank.

The faculty members said the session was a great success, giving both groups of students a chance to build teamwork skills that will carry into their clinical practice. 

Toni said, “This kind of interprofessional education helps prepare our students for the real healthcare environment, where collaboration and understanding each discipline’s role is essential for quality patient care.”

Participating students’ comments included, “I wish we had more of these experiences with other disciplines–I learned so much,” and “This was great! I didn’t realize what I actually knew, and this activity gave me more confidence in my knowledge.”