A national survey to map IPE in Ireland

ABSTRACT

Interprofessional education (IPE) in Ireland is at an early stage. Currently, there is no data to reflect the amount and type of IPE occurring across the Island of Ireland. To support IPE implementation, data is needed on existing IPE which will identify gaps and foundations on which to build. We designed a cross-sectional, online, anonymous survey to map geographical IPE locations, IPE setting, and type of IPE offered. Results were analyzed by exporting raw data to Microsoft Excel. The survey was completed by 21 participants. Over half of participants (n = 12) came from two professions: physiotherapy and speech and language therapy. Participants were from 4 counties (from a potential 32): Cork, Dublin, Galway, and Limerick. There were twice as many university educator participants (n = 14) as compared to clinical educators (n = 7). Shared modules and guest lectures from other professions were frequent methods of shared learning. At university level the most frequent IPE activity was interprofessional problem-based learning/case study. At clinical sites students interact with a range of qualified professionals and have limited opportunities to work with students from other professions. This may impact the range of collaborative work skills developed and thus readiness for workforce entry.

KEYWORDS:

• Interprofessional education
• shared learning
• survey

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.

Notes on contributors

Noreen O’Leary

Noreen O'Leary: Noreen, a qualified speech and language therapist, completed her PhD in interprofessional education at the School of Allied Health, University of Limerick. Noreen's research relates to practice-based interprofessional education and seeks to reflect the experiences of a range of stakeholders, influenced by principles of Public Patient Involvement. Other research interests include professional identity and socialisation, pedagogical theories and the application of qualitative research methodologies.

Dr Emer Guinan

Emer Guinan: Assistant Professor in the School of Medicine with responsibility for the Interprofessional Learning programme for the Faculty of Health Sciences. Emer's main research interest is in the role of exercise and physical activity in ameliorating treatment side effects and optimising survivorship for patients with cancer.