Dissecting through the decade: a 10-year cross-sectional analysis of interprofessional experiences in the anatomy lab

ABSTRACT

Interprofessional education (IPE) is prioritized as a critical component in preparing pre-licensure health professional students for effective teamwork and collaboration in the workplace to facilitate patient-centered care. Knowledge in anatomy is fundamental for healthcare professionals, making interprofessional anatomy education an attractive intervention for IPE and anatomy learning. Since 2009, the Education Program in Anatomy at McMaster University has offered an intensive 10-week IPE Anatomy Dissection elective to seven health professional programs annually. From 2011, students were invited to complete the Readiness for Interprofessional Scale (RIPLS) and Interprofessional Education Perception Scale (IEPS) before and after the elective. A total of 264 students from 2011 to 2020 completed RIPLS and IEPS. There were significant differences before and after the elective in students’ total RIPLS scores and three of the four subscales: teamwork and collaboration, positive professional identity, and roles and responsibilities. Similarly, there were statistical differences in the total IEPS scores and two of three subscales: competency and autonomy and perceived actual cooperation. Statistically significant differences in RIPLS and IEPS total scores across several disciplines were also observed. This study demonstrates the elective’s impact in improving students’ IPE perceptions and attitudes, likely from the extended learning and exposure opportunity with other disciplines.

KEYWORDS:

• Anatomy
• health sciences
• interdisciplinary education
• interprofessional education

Disclosure statement

SQ and YM were paid by PIPER to facilitate the interprofessional anatomy dissection elective in 2023; SQ is also paid as a research coordinator for PIPER. The remaining authors report there are no competing interests to declare.

Data availability statement

The authors confirm that the data supporting the findings of this study are available within the article and its supplementary materials. Additional data that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author, SQ, upon reasonable request.

Supplementary material

Supplemental data for this article can be accessed online at https://doi.org/10.1080/13561820.2024.2343828

Additional information

Funding

This research was supported by the Education Program in Anatomy and the Program for Interprofessional Practice, Education and Research, McMaster University.

Notes on contributors

Shirley Quach

Shirley Quach is a registered respiratory therapist, assistant clinical professor in the School of Rehabilitation Sciences, and the research coordinator in the Program for Interprofessional Practice, Education and Research, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University.

Sakshi Sinha

Sakshi Sinha is a Master of Science student in the Health Science Education Program, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University.

Alexandra Todd

Alexandra Todd is a medical student in the Michael G. DeGroote School of Medicine, McMaster University.

Andrew Palombella

Andrew Palombella is an anatomical technician and demonstrator in the Education Program in Anatomy and Surgical Skills Laboratory, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University.

Jasmine Rockarts

Jasmine Rockarts is an anatomical technician and demonstrator in the Education Program in Anatomy and Surgical Skills Laboratory, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University.

Sarah Wojkowski

Sarah Wojkowski is the assistant dean (Physiotherapy), in the School of Rehabilitation Sciences and director of the Program for Interprofessional Practice Education and Research, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University.

Bruce Wainman

Bruce Wainman is the director of the Education Program in Anatomy and Surgical Skills Laboratory and associate professor in the Department of Pathology & Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University.

Yasmeen Mezil

Yasmeen Mezil is an assistant professor in the Education Program in Anatomy and Surgical Skills Laboratory and Department of Pathology & Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, McMaster University.