Student perceptions towards interprofessional education: Findings from a longitudinal study based in a Middle Eastern university

ABSTRACT

The Lebanese American University Interprofessional Education (LAU IPE) Steps Framework consists of a five-step workshop-based series that is offered throughout the curriculum of health and social care students at an American university in Lebanon. The aim of the present study was to report students’ perceptions of their readiness for interprofessional learning before and after completing the IPE steps, their evaluations of interprofessional learning outcomes, as well as their satisfaction with the learning experience as a whole. A longitudinal survey design was used: questionnaires were completed by students before IPE exposure and after each step. The results showed that before IPE exposure, students’ perceptions of their readiness for interprofessional learning were generally favourable, with differences across genders (stronger professional identity in females compared to males) and across professions (higher teamwork and collaboration in pharmacy and nutrition students compared to other professions and lower patient centredness in nursing students compared to others). After participation in the IPE steps, students showed enhanced readiness for interprofessional learning and differences between genders and professions decreased. Participants were satisfied with the learning experience and assessment scores showed that all IPE learning outcomes were met. The LAU IPE Steps Framework may be of value to other interprofessional education course developers.

KEYWORDS:

• Interprofessional education
• interprofessional education evaluation
• interprofessional education framework
• interprofessional outcomes
• readiness for interprofessional education

Acknowledgements

For their contribution, collaboration, and commitment to the ongoing development of interprofessional education at the Lebanese American University, the authors would like to acknowledge the faculty facilitators and staff who assist in offering the LAU IPE Days. The authors would also like to acknowledge the support of the Lebanese American University administration, and particularly Schools of Arts & Sciences, Medicine, Nursing and Pharmacy.

Declaration of interest

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