Unit Policy
Title
Adams School of Dentistry: Policy on Peer-to-Peer Clinical Encounters
I. Introduction
A. Purpose
The purpose of this Policy is to outline requirements and expectations for peer-to-peer encounters as a component of clinical training.
B. Scope
This Policy applies to all Adams School of Dentistry (ASOD) DDS and DH students (referred to collectively as "students" for purposes of this Policy).
II. Policy
A. Definition
Peer-to-peer appointments occur when a student "treats" another student for clinical training purposes.
B. Epic Appointment Requirements
Peer-to-peer appointments must be made with the student provider, not the attending faculty, with visit type as “peer-peer.” The appointment notes should indicate what instruments will be needed so they can be properly ordered in advance for the appointment.
The appointment will be listed on the chair assignment that is automatically generated from the appointments in Epic. The chair assignment shows the provider, attending faculty, and operatory assignment. For peer-to-peer, the student who is being treated also is listed, which is not done for other appointment types.
All peer-to-peer patients (i.e., students being treated) must be checked in when physically in the clinic so faculty and staff know they are present. The patient’s medical history must be completed in Epic and reviewed by the student provider and faculty, not on a separate sheet of paper or other means. Also, the encounter must be documented in Epic, along with the proper billing code (the visit type of peer-peer will set the fee to $0). Attending faculty must sign the encounter note.
C. Opt-out Right
These required peer-to-peer encounters, including the medical history review, ensure a professional and safe environment for patients, student-providers, faculty, and staff. They ensure safe patient care, clinical compliance, malpractice coverage, proper handling of incident reports/claims, and correct instrument flow.
All information reported in a patient’s medical history is considered confidential and must be treated as such by the student provider and faculty who review the history. However, students who are concerned about sharing sensitive medical information with colleagues have the right to opt out as patients in peer-to-peer encounters. Opt-out requests must be submitted in writing to the course director well in advance of the scheduled encounters.