Interprofessional education in a student-led emergency department: A realist evaluation

ABSTRACT

This article reports a realist evaluation undertaken to identify factors that facilitated or hindered the successful implementation of interprofessional clinical training for undergraduate students in an emergency department. A realist evaluation provides a framework for understanding how the context and underlying mechanisms affect the outcome patterns of an intervention. The researchers gathered both qualitative and quantitative data from internal documents, semi-structured interviews, observations, and questionnaires to study what worked, for whom, and under what circumstances in this specific interprofessional setting. The study participants were medical, nursing, and physiotherapy students, their supervisors, and two members of the emergency department’s management staff. The data analysis indicated that the emergency ward provided an excellent environment for interprofessional education (IPE), as attested by the students, supervisors, and the clinical managers. An essential prerequisite is that the students have obtained adequate skills to work independently. Exemplary conditions for IPE to work well in an emergency department demand the continuity of effective and encouraging supervision throughout the training period and supervisors who are knowledgeable about developing a team.

KEYWORDS:

• Interprofessional education
• realist evaluation
• student-led emergency department
• teamwork

Acknowledgements

We acknowledge the students, supervisors, and management who generously contributed to this research with their knowledge, thoughts, and opinions.

Declaration of interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of this article.

Funding

This study was funded by a research grant from Stockholm County Council, which is gratefully acknowledged. The funders had no role in the study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.

Additional information

Funding

This study was funded by a research grant from Stockholm County Council, which is gratefully acknowledged. The funders had no role in the study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.