‘We just did it as a team’: Learning and working on a paediatric interprofessional training ward improves interprofessional competencies in the short- and in the long-term

Abstract

Purpose

Interprofessional (IP) education is essential for healthcare professionals to prepare them for future IP collaboration. IP training wards (ITWs) have been established for work-based IP education. Short-term effects of ITW placements have been published but long-term results are scarce. There are no reports on ITWs in paediatrics. We established the Interprofessional Training Ward in Paediatrics (IPAPAED) for paediatric nursing trainees and medical students. The aim of the study is to evaluate both short- and long-term outcomes regarding IP competencies of IPAPAED participants.

Methods

The study was designed as a prospective, non-randomized trial, using a mixed-methods design. The Interprofessional Socialization and Valuing Scale (ISVS-9A/B) and the Interprofessional Collaboration Scale (ICS) were used for quantitative evaluation, qualitative data were gathered from structured group discussions and free-text comments. Data were collected from 68 IPAPAED participants, before and after the rotation, and 6–34 months later.

Results: IPAPAED participants showed increased global scores in the ISVS 9 A/B and rated their communication competencies and their accommodation in IP teams better (ICS). Improvements in communication competency and accommodation persisted at 6–34 months.

Conclusions: IP learning and working on IPAPAED had positive short-term effects on interprofessional competencies. Some of these effects persisted on a long-term.

Keywords:

• Interprofessional training ward
• interprofessional learning
• medical education research
• interprofessional collaborative practice
• interprofessional competencies

Acknowledgements

We thank all participants of the IPAPAED as well as the team on the ward. Special thanks to Alexandra Dürkop, Helena Wilcken, and Stephanie Peters who supported the IPAPAED as nurse learning facilitators and to all medical learning facilitators.

Authors’ contributions

S.F.N.B. and C.S. designed the ITW, the study, and the evaluation format. C.S. and S.F. analyzed qualitative data and S.F.N.B. analyzed quantitative data. S.F.N.B. wrote the first version of the manuscript. S.F. revised the manuscript and figures. All authors critically revised the manuscript and agreed to the final version of the manuscript.

Disclosure statement

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

Glossary

Facilitator: A person who supports and encourages students/trainees to learn autonomously by giving feedback, advice, or initiating discussions but “with the hands on their backs” i.e. not providing solutions but showing possible ways to a solution.

IPAPAED: Interprofessional training ward in paediatrics, established in 2017, that allows medical students and paediatric nursing trainees to interprofessionally care for real patients.

Data availability statement

Data are available upon reasonable request from the corresponding author.

Additional information

Funding

The implementation of the IPAPAED was financially supported by the Robert-Bosch-Foundation (‘Operation Team’); funding number: 32.5.A381.0030/MA01 as well as a non-restricted grant (‘Instructional development award’) from the University of Freiburg, Germany. The funders had no role in study design, data collection, data analysis, the decision to publish, or the writing of the manuscript.

Notes on contributors

Sebastian F. N. Bode

Sebastian F. N. Bode, MD, is a senior physician in paediatrics at the Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Ulm University Medical Center, Ulm. He is part of the interprofessional tandem that implemented IPAPAED and was medical facilitator.

Sebastian Friedrich

Sebastian Friedrich, MD, is a resident physician in paediatrics at the Department of General Pediatrics, Adolescent Medicine and Neonatology, Medical Centre, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany. He took part in IPAPAED as participant and now is part of the team that leads IPAPAED and is medical facilitator.

Christine Straub

Christine Straub, MA, is a research associate at the Department of General Pediatrics, Adolescent Medicine and Neonatology, Medical Centre, Faculty of Medicine, University of Freiburg, Freiburg, Germany. She is part of the interprofessional tandem that implemented IPAPAED and is coordinating project leader of the training ward.