Purpose: To analyze student attitudes toward the impact of an L&D interprofessional education (IPE) experience
Background: IPE can have a positive impact on students’ ability to work with other healthcare professions, and allow non-physicians to educate medical students about their unique skills and roles. Our OB/Gyn clerkship has implemented an IPE experience in which medical students on Labor and Delivery spend one day working with a labor nurse.
Methods: Student attitudes related to IPE were assessed via surveys administered before and after IPE experiences (n=316 and n=135) at two clinical sites from 2018-2020. Data was analyzed in aggregate and pre and post responses were compared using Chi-squared tests. Researchers reviewed open-ended comments independently.
Results: Globally, pre-existing positive attitudes towards IPE and its importance to patient care and collaboration persisted post experience. Some negative trends emerged related to IPE’s ability to help participants become more effective healthcare team members (p=0.004), increase ability to understand clinical problems (p=0.012), or think positively about other healthcare professionals (p=0.005). Analysis of qualitative feedback revealed unclear expectations and differing experiences in student participation in patient care and procedures, but positive comments regarding the importance and value of the overall experience.
Discussions: The majority of participants had favorable views of IPE, but certain negative attitudes towards IPE increased after the experience although the absolute number of negative responses was small. Rare instances of very negative experiences disproportionately influenced results due to limited sample size. Future directions will involve directed recruitment of nurse preceptors related to interest and improved education regarding goals/expectations.
Topics: CREOG & APGO Annual Meeting, 2021, Student, Resident, Faculty, Clerkship Director, Clerkship Coordinator, Osteopathic Faculty, Patient Care, Medical Knowledge, Professionalism, Interpersonal & Communication Skills, UME, Team-Based Learning,
Amanda Williams, MD, Baylor College of Medicine; Lena Shay, MD; Helen Dunnington, MD; Jocelyn Greely, MD
