A cross-institutional analysis of Australian undergraduate paramedic students’ attitudes towards interprofessional collaboration

ABSTRACT

Interprofessional collaboration (IPC) continues to gain much momentum with recognition and evidence that improved communication and collaboration between healthcare workers leads to better delivery and access to care. The objective of this study was to examine the self-reported IPC among Australian paramedic undergraduate students over two years. A two-year cross-sectional study involving undergraduate paramedic students from multiple Australian Universities was undertaken. Students’ IPC levels were measured using the Interdisciplinary Education Perception Scale (IEPS). Responses were collected from 1,264 students during the 2011 and 2012 academic years. During the study females tended to outnumber males enrolled in paramedic studies across all universities, which was consistent across 2011 and 2012 (overall, n = 748 or 59.2% and n = 516 or 40.8% for females and males, respectively). Factor results revealed mean = 23.63 (Competence/Autonomy), mean = 9.65 (Perceived need for Cooperation), and mean = 23.78 (Perception of Actual Cooperation). There were no differences in self-reported perceptions between students assessed in 2011 and 2012 for any of the three factors. The current study provides the first multi-institutional normative data for paramedic students for the IEPS within Australia. Initial findings tend to suggest that paramedic undergraduates are positive about the concept of IPC and their ability to work as part of a collaborative healthcare team.

KEYWORDS:

• Health professionals
• IEPS
• interprofessional collaboration
• interprofessional education
• paramedics
• surveys