Readiness for Interprofessional Learning Among Undergraduate Healthcare Students

Interprofessional Learning in Healthcare Students

Abstract

Background: In interprofessional learning, students from different healthcare professions learn collaboration skills and teamwork so they can provide good quality healthcare. For patients and their allied care to improve, there must be excellent teamwork, communication and collaboration among professionals. Recent global emphasis on the urgent need for human resource enhancement has increased the need for successful interprofessional collaboration to deliver the best healthcare possible. Objective: To determine the attitude and behavior toward interprofessional learning among a group of undergraduate students enrolled in seven health science-related courses Methods: A cross-sectional research approach was used. Data was gathered from institutions in the Lahore region that provide physical therapy, nursing, occupational therapy, nutritional sciences, speech therapy, MBBS, and pharmacy education, including Riphah International University, Children's Hospital, Mayo Hospital, Nursing College of General Hospital, and Allama Iqbal Medical College. After the approval of the synopsis study was completed in 6 months. A simple random sampling technique was used. The sample size was 300 as calculated by Epitool. Target was a multiple-student population. Students from nursing, occupational therapy, nutritionist, physiotherapy, speech therapy, MBBS and pharmacy department were included in the study. While Students who were not willing to participate and had psychosocial factors, students who had depressive episodes over the last 6 months and who had a death in the family (paternal/maternal) over the past 6 months were excluded. The Readiness for Inter-professional Learning Scale (RIPLS) questionnaire was distributed among students of 7 healthcare programs. When handouts are collected in person or by representatives at particular colleges, the questionnaire will be delivered.  Results: This showed that students had positive attitudes, perceptions and attributes toward interprofessional learning and they shared knowledge. Pharm-D and nursing had the highest scoring in it and MBBS and speech therapist had the lowest level of agreement. Conclusion: Overall students have shown positive attitudes, perceptions, and attributes toward Inter-professional learning and shared knowledge. The findings indicated that clinical nutritionists respected and appreciated interprofessional practice and teamwork. MBBS and speech therapists have the lowest level of agreement toward interprofessional learning.