{
  "abstract": "Introduction Scleroderma is a complex chronic disease that impacts several organ systems and requires care from several specialists. Collaboration is critical for prompt diagnosis, treatment, and care. Due to the varying presentations of symptoms and to insufficient awareness of the disease, there is often diagnostic delay. A scleroderma-focused Interprofessional Education Event (IPE) was developed by the Steffens Scleroderma Foundation and has educated over 1,200 students to date. The goals of the event are to increase awareness of scleroderma among rising health professional students in several disciplines, empower patients as the primary educators, and emphasize that a multidisciplinary team is required to provide optimal care to individuals with scleroderma.Material and Methods This IPE Event has evolved over the last 5 years following feedback received in post-event surveys from students and patients. The current structure consists of opening remarks from an individual living with scleroderma, a segment on the art of interviewing, a panel led by scleroderma experts from various disciplines, and group discussions in breakout rooms. In each such ‘virtual’ room, there are two scleroderma patients, one with diffuse cutaneous and the other with limited cutaneous disease and 8-10 healthcare students from a mix of the following disciplines: medicine, pharmacy, dentistry, nutrition, psychology/social work, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and nursing. Patients encourage student questions, promoting active dialogue by sharing their unique lived experiences.Results The following results are reported by 96/148 students and 23/48 patients from the 2025 IPE Event. Using the non-parametric Wilcoxon Signed-Rank Test, students’ self-report rating of level of knowledge was significantly higher after attending the IPE Event than the self-reported scores before attending the IPE Event, (z=-8.093, p<.001). Patients reported a mean score of 4.50 regarding their confidence in conveying their lived experiences after participation in the Art of Advocacy patient training (1-5 scale, 5=very confident). In open response questions, nearly 100% of students reported the importance of collaboration and a team approach in the care and treatment of a scleroderma patient.Conclusions The IPE Event demonstrates that integrating individuals with lived experience of scleroderma into educational activities increases knowledge and awareness, promotes patient empowerment, and equips future healthcare providers with the skills needed for effective, team-based disease management. This event bridges the gap between textbook knowledge and the realities of living with a chronic, multi-system condition.",
  "authors": [
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Steffens Scleroderma and Degos Disease Foundation, Albany, USA"
      ],
      "name": "Hannah Bowen"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Steffens Scleroderma and Degos Disease Foundation, Albany, USA"
      ],
      "name": "Amy Gietzen"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Steffens Scleroderma and Degos Disease Foundation, Albany, USA",
        "Albany Medical College, Albany, USA"
      ],
      "name": "Lee Shapiro"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Steffens Scleroderma and Degos Disease Foundation, Albany, USA"
      ],
      "name": "Steve Rosenblum"
    }
  ],
  "title": "P.410 Threefold impact of a scleroderma-focused interprofessional education event",
  "uid": "58093149-d23f-564f-9693-4a762daf3047"
}