Insights from an interprofessional education course- a mixed methods study among novice healthcare professionals

Abstract

Background: Interprofessional education (IPE) fosters cross-disciplinary respect, communication, and problem-solving from a broader, patient-centered perspective. It is essential to prepare healthcare students to work and collaborate with other healthcare disciplines in real-world settings, and this should be taught early in student training.

Aims: A) To evaluate novice healthcare practitioners' perceptions of their previous interprofessional education experience and its contribution to their interprofessional collaborative skills. B) To examine the associations between novice healthcare practitioners' attitudes, values, professional satisfaction, and interprofessional collaboration.

Methods: A convergent mixed-methods parallel design was employed among novice healthcare professionals who graduated from the School of Health Professions at a major university within the last four years. The quantitative phase involved administering self-administered surveys to 79 participants, while the qualitative phase consisted of 18 structured interviews with participants.

Results: Significant positive correlations were found between participants' values and attitudes toward interprofessional collaboration and their reported ability to implement it. Professional attitudes toward interprofessional collaboration were positively associated with one's professional satisfaction. Qualitative analysis identified two key themes regarding participants' experience: (a) "Then, in the course": interprofessional education, (b) "Now, in practice": interprofessional collaboration.

Conclusions: Interprofessional attitudes and values are positively associated with the future ability and implementation of interprofessional collaboration among healthcare professionals. Interprofessional education provides students with an initial interprofessional encounter that contributes to knowledge acquisition, strengthens interpersonal communication skills, and emphasizes the importance of teamwork. When planning future courses, it is essential to consider the timing of the course within the curriculum, the delivery format, and the participants' pre-course preparation.

Keywords: Attitudes; Healthcare professions; Interprofessional collaboration; Interprofessional education; Mixed methods.