Interprofessional education in an enrichment programme for prospective health sciences students

Abstract

Effective and meaningful interprofessional education opportunities for prospective health sciences students are important to prepare students for the work environment they will encounter after training. This article briefly describes the Summer Academic Enrichment Program, a programme for students pursuing entry to dentistry, medicine, pharmacy, and physical therapy schools. The programme evaluation includes investigation of the programme's effectiveness to impact attitudes towards interprofessional teams and collaboration. The Attitudes Toward Health Care Teams Scale and the Revised Readiness for Interprofessional Learning Scale were administered at the beginning and the end of the programme. Statistical analysis of pre-assessment subscale scores indicated that pre-pharmacy students reported significantly more positive attitudes towards team value than pre-dental students at the beginning of the programme, with post-assessment results indicating that these differences had been eliminated. Additionally, all students demonstrated significantly more positive attitudes towards interprofessional teams during the post-assessment.

Perceived Success After Participation in the Summer Health Professions Education Program

“…Other positive impacts of pathway programs include improvements to participants’ academic and research knowledge, skills, and self-efficacy . These programs may also solidify professional identities and attitudes . Summer programs also demonstrate high rates of matriculation and graduation from medical schools …”

“… 17 , 18 , 19 These programs may also solidify professional identities and attitudes. 17 , 20 , 21 Summer programs also demonstrate high rates of matriculation and graduation from medical schools. 22 …”

“…[17][18][19] These programs may also solidify professional identities and attitudes. 17,20,21 Summer programs also demonstrate high rates of matriculation and graduation from medical schools. 22 As part of an effort to reduce health disparities, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation (RWJF), in partnership with academic health centers (AHCs) across the US, has sponsored a cost-free 6-week summer enrichment program for prehealth undergraduates since 1989.…”