Interprofessional learning in an international context: the unfamiliar as impetus for learning, also about oneself

ABSTRACT

Studying experiences of interprofessional learning (IPL) in international contexts can contribute to better understand its nature. The aim of this study was to evaluate students’ IPL in the context of a two-week study-abroad program. There were 28 health-care students from Tokyo Metropolitan University, Japan, who participated in a two-week interprofessional education program provided by Karolinska Institutet, Sweden, from 2013 to 2016. The program consisted of classroom-based activities, a literature study (since 2015) and study-visits to health-care facilities. The data were two pre-course questionnaires with open-ended questions that inquired about students’ motivation, expectations and goals, and one post-course questionnaire that inquired about their learning. A qualitative KJ-method analysis of students’ completed questionnaires revealed two understandings about the nature of IPL. Namely, the ‘unfamiliar’, presented by both interprofessional and international contexts, provided students’ with unique learning, with the international context reinforcing interprofessional learning. Secondly, developing one’s individual collaborative skills and one’s professional expertise was important aspects of their learning. International context can add value to students’ IPL by affording learning opportunities considered unique to the different socio-cultural context. IPL may also pertain to ‘learning about oneself’, in addition to ‘learning with, about and from each other’.

KEYWORDS:

• Japan
• Sweden
• outcomes
• interprofessional learning
• interprofessional education
• study-abroad

Acknowledgments

We wish to thank the students for agreeing to our analysis of the reports they submitted as part of evaluation of this international program.

There were no grants that funded this study, which was executed as part of the authors regular duties.

Declaration of interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Shoulian Jin

Shoulian Jin, PhD, Special Appointed Lecturer, Department of Radiological Sciences, Tokyo Metropolitan University. Shoulian was in charge of organizational aspects of the IPE study tour. She is a Chinese National of Korean ethnicity. She came to Japan to study social-welfare 15 years ago, particularly raising of children among poor families and vocational choices among persons with minimal educational histories. Shoulian obtained her Ph.D. from Seirei Christopher University, where she was developed a keen interest in IPE/IPW.

Peter Bontje

Peter Bontje, PhD, Professor, Tokyo Metropolitan University, Division of Occupational Therapy. He collaborated in designing the program and accompanied the students during their studies at Karolinska Institutet. Peter qualified as occupational therapy in Holland 30 years ago, and recently obtained his PhD at Karolinska Institutet. He has worked clinically in four countries (Holland, UK, Armenia, Japan), but last 20 years has developed an academic career in Japan.

Natsuka Suyama

Natsuka Suyama, MSc, Special Appointed Associate Professor, Division of Occupational Therapy, Tokyo Metropolitan University. She obtained her occupational therapy license in Japan and had clinical experience for over 11 years. After 4 years clinical experience, she obtained her M.Sc. degree in England. In addition, she has been involved in international exchange program at TMU since 2011. Natsuka, too, was in charge of organizational aspects of the IPE study tour.

Eric Asaba

Eric Asaba, PhD, Associate Professor and Head of Division, Karolinska Insitutet, Division of Occupational Therapy; Visiting Professor, Tokyo Metropolitan University, Division of Occupational Therapy. He designed the program (with PB) and coordinated the program at Karolinska Institutet. He obtained his PhD in occupational science at University of Southern California and occupational therapy licensure in the USA and Japan. Eric has worked with curriculum development and research in the USA, Sweden, and Japan.