An investigation of the relationship between interprofessional education, interprofessional attitudes, and interprofessional practice

Schutt, Hannah (2016) An investigation of the relationship between interprofessional education, interprofessional attitudes, and interprofessional practice. Doctoral thesis, University of East Anglia.

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Abstract

Study aims: This study aimed to explore: the interprofessional attitudes of first- and final-year healthcare students, recent graduates, and senior healthcare professionals; the influences upon those attitudes (including participation in interprofessional education (IPE)); how attitudes change over time and between groups; and the factors influencing interprofessional interaction in education and practice settings.
Methods and methodology: This study used a mixed methods convergent parallel design. Quantitative data were collected from first- and final-year healthcare students using the Attitudes to Health Professionals Questionnaire. A control group of first-year students who had not participated in the IPL programme was used to determine the effect of participation in the Interprofessional Learning (IPL) programme. Data from first- and final-year students were compared to explore changes in interprofessional attitudes during students’ training.
Qualitative data were collected from first- and final-year students using focus groups and from graduates and senior healthcare professionals using individual interviews. These data provided insight into the attitudes of participants to IPE and practice and into factors that influence their attitude towards interprofessional interaction and other professions.
Key findings: The interprofessional attitudes of first-year students who participated in the IPL programme are more positive than those of the control group, but this effect does is not sustained with final-year students. Students’ attitudes towards the IPL programme are mixed, but graduates’ views are more positive. The qualitative data showed there are many factors aside from participating in the IPL programme that influence the interprofessional attitudes, and these factors affect the attitudes of all participants.
Conclusions: IPE is a viable way of improving students’ interprofessional attitudes. Ensuring that students value IPE and that IPE addresses issues influencing student attitudes should produce graduates who will be better equipped to deal with the necessity of interprofessional working, benefitting patients, and meeting the evolving needs of the health service.

Item Type:	Thesis (Doctoral)
Faculty \ School:	Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences > Norwich Medical School
Depositing User:	Jackie Webb
Date Deposited:	01 May 2018 10:58
Last Modified:	01 May 2018 10:58
URI:	https://ueaeprints.uea.ac.uk/id/eprint/62382
DOI:

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