Nursing and medical students’ experiences of interprofessional education during clinical training in psychiatry

ABSTRACT

The aim of the study was to describe nursing and medical students’ experiences of participation in an interprofessional education (IPE) activity, “round school,” during their clinical rotations in psychiatric care. Data were collected in six focus groups with 32 students from nursing and medical programs, focusing on their experiences of the IPE activity and their reflections on interprofessional collaboration. The students considered the round school to be meaningful and true-to-life. Important conditions for learning were well-informed staff, sufficient time for preparation and feedback, clear routines, instructions, and an open climate. Non-explicit instructions and limited preunderstanding of psychiatric care left the students feeling uncertain. Students’ reflections regarding interprofessional competences encompassed both similarities and differences in roles, responsibilities, and collaboration. Evidence of hierarchical and stereotypical images of the nurse-physician relationship was identified. Round school is an example of how IPE can be integrated into the units’ regular ward rounds. However, if the clinical everyday work is not based on collaboration between different professions, it can be arduous to implement IPE. Well-planned preparations are necessary, both in the clinic and at the faculty.

KEYWORDS:

• Interprofessional education
• interprofessional collaboration
• psychiatric care
• focus groups

Acknowledgments

We thank all participating students and Madeleine Bergstedt Nelson for valuable contribution during the first part of the project. The research was financially supported by the Committee for the Medical Program at Uppsala University.

Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest

There are no relevant financial or non-financial competing interests to report.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Johanna Salberg

Johanna Salberg is a specialist nurse and a PhD student in caring science. She has extensive experience in teaching and designing courses in nursing programmes both at the bachelor and advanced level and specialized in care for people with psychosis.

Mia Ramklint

Mia Ramklint is a physician specializing in psychiatry and a professor of child and adolescent psychiatry. She has extensive experience in designing and teaching courses foremost in psychiatry for medical students and she is also teaching professional development.

Caisa Öster

Caisa Öster is a specialist nurse and associate professor in caring science. She has extensive experience in teaching and designing courses in nursing programmes both at the bachelor and advanced level and specialized in the management of the organization of care.