Sealey, Rebecca, George, Nadene, Gordon, Susan, and Simmons, Lisa (2015) Preparing health profession students for work in inter-professional practice. In: Abstracts from HERDSA 2015. 195. From: HERDSA 2015: 38th Higher Education Research and Development Society of Australasia Annual International Conference, July 6-9 2015, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.

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Abstract

Background/Context: Health professionals often work using an inter-professional practice model to deliver comprehensive health care to patients. Inter-professional education during undergraduate training is aimed at preparing students for inter-professional practice. However, implementing authentic and high fidelity inter-professional education into the curriculum is challenging.

Initiative/Practice: This project reports on the success of a 12-week student-assisted, inter-professional men's health program to develop professional identity and inter-professional practice skills across eight health disciplines. The program included weekly health education and group exercise sessions for thirteen middle-aged, overweight men, facilitated by eighteen students from Dentistry, Exercise Physiology, Medicine, Nursing Science, Pharmacy, Physiotherapy, Psychology and Speech Pathology. The program was facilitated by an Exercise Physiology senior lecturer and Inter-professional coordinator and took place at a University multi-disciplinary health clinic.

Methods of evaluative data collection and analysis: Students completed the Readiness for Inter-Professional learning Scale (RIPLS) questionnaire and a health professions knowledge questionnaire before and after the program. Students also completed paper-based evaluations and participated in focus groups at program completion.

Evidence of effectiveness: Students achieved improved understanding of their role as health care professionals and the benefits associated with inter-professional education. Students in the earlier years of their degree achieved a larger change in overall RIPLS score than student who were in their final year of study. Knowledge of the role of different health professions also improved. Students also indicated development of discipline knowledge, communication and advocacy skills, team work, organisational skills, and professionalism as a result of the program. This program provides evidence that a student-assisted, inter-professional men's health program successfully develops professional skills to assist with transition into complex health professional work.

Item ID:	39458
Item Type:	Conference Item (Presentation)
Related URLs:	Organisation
Date Deposited:	13 Aug 2015 02:20
FoR Codes:	13 EDUCATION > 1302 Curriculum and Pedagogy > 130209 Medicine, Nursing and Health Curriculum and Pedagogy @ 100%
SEO Codes:	92 HEALTH > 9202 Health and Support Services > 920205 Health Education and Promotion @ 70% 92 HEALTH > 9202 Health and Support Services > 920201 Allied Health Therapies (excl. Mental Health Services) @ 30%
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