Assessment of Student Interprofessional Education (IPE) Training for Team-Based Geriatric Home Care: Does IPE Training Change Students’ Knowledge and Attitudes?

Abstract

Our study assesses changes in students’ knowledge and attitudes after participation in an interprofessional, team-based, geriatric home training program. Second-year medical, physician assistant, occupational therapy, social work, and physical therapy students; third-year pharmacy students; and fourth-year dental students were led by interprofessional faculty teams. Student participants were assessed before and after the curriculum using an interprofessional attitudes learning scale. Significant differences and positive data trends were noted at year-end. Our study suggests that early implementation, assessment, and standardization of years of student training is needed for optimal interprofessional geriatric learning. Additionally, alternative student assessment tools should be considered for future studies.

KEYWORDS:

• geriatric home care
• interprofessional education
• student

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

The authors acknowledge Jennifer Yoon, MSGM, MBA, IPGC, coordinator; Jennifer Chang, IPGC student research coordinator; and Terri Williams, Director of Aging and Disability Services, Hope Through Housing.