How does interprofessional education influence students’ perceptions of collaboration in the clinical setting? A qualitative study

Abstract

Background Interprofessional education (IPE) aims to improve students’ collaborative competencies and behaviour. The effect of classroom IPE on students’ perceptions of collaboration in clinical practice, and how knowledge is possibly transferred, has yet to be investigated. The research question of this study was: How does IPE in a classroom setting influence students’ perceptions of collaboration in clinical practice? Social capital theory is used as the theoretical lens. Social capital theory describes how social relationships generate benefits for the individuals involved. Social capital can be divided into three forms of social cohesion: bonding, bridging and linking social capital. Bonding refers to connections that are close and strong, such as family. Bridging social capital occurs in more distant relationships. Linking social capital refers to relationships between individuals with different power or social status. Methods A qualitative study with semi-structured face-to-face interviews was conducted to explore students’ perceptions and experiences. Nursing and medical students who had participated in four classroom IPE-sessions were asked about the perceived influence of the IPE-sessions they had attended on their interprofessional collaboration. Thematic analysis was conducted, with sensitising concepts of ‘bonding’, ‘bridging’ and ‘linking social capital’ from the social capital theory. Results Twenty-two interviews were conducted. Students experienced: 1) exchange of discipline specific knowledge, 2) general knowledge about each other’s responsibilities, 3) reduction of hierarchy, and 4) improvement in patient care. The first two themes reflect bridging social capital, since students experience that the other student is from a different group. The third theme reflects linking social capital, since students experience a difference in (social) status. The fourth theme most explicitly reflects ‘getting ahead’ or doing better, what is referred to as an effect of increased social capital. Conclusion This study reveals new insights regarding how increased social capital of undergraduate students after IPE-sessions in a classroom setting influences the way they conceptualise and experience interprofessional collaboration in clinical practice. These insights contribute to the understanding of the effectiveness of IPE in undergraduate curricula. Further research on long-term effects is underway.

Virtual and Interprofessional Objective Structured Clinical Examination in Dentistry and Dental Technology: Development and User Evaluations (Preprint)

“…Jurisdictional battles and supremacy struggles are not alien to dentistry [1]. Unfortunately, despite the obvious reported benefits of interprofessional education (IPE) for interprofessional collaborative practice (IPCP) [2], there is a paucity of data about IPE to promote IPCP among dental professionals. Dentists and dental technicians need to communicate effectively and contribute their professional skills to ensure that they make decisions that are in the best interests of their patients [3].…”

Virtual and Interprofessional Objective Structured Clinical Examination in Dentistry and Dental Technology: Development and User Evaluations

“…Jurisdictional battles and supremacy struggles are not alien to dentistry [ 1 ]. Unfortunately, despite the obvious reported benefits of interprofessional education (IPE) for interprofessional collaborative practice (IPCP) [ 2 ], there is a paucity of data about IPE to promote IPCP among dental professionals. Dentists and dental technicians need to communicate effectively and contribute their professional skills to ensure that they make decisions that are in the best interests of their patients [ 3 ].…”

Interprofessional communication skills training to improve medical students’ and nursing trainees’ error communication - quasi-experimental pilot study

“…The majority of students from different health disciplines (e.g., medicine, nursing, pharmacy) have a positive attitude towards IPE and collaborative work [13][14][15][16]. It can contribute to a better understanding of the professional role of the other profession, improve collaborative knowledge and skills, identify and solve patient problems and minimise medical errors [17,18].…”

“…It can contribute to a better understanding of the professional role of the other profession, improve collaborative knowledge and skills, identify and solve patient problems and minimise medical errors [17,18]. Benefits are also seen in better communication, teamwork or elimination of hierarchies [15][16][17][18]. Disadvantages contain lack of student engagement and information overload [15].…”