Preparing Master of Social Work Students for Interprofessional Practice

ABSTRACT

Purpose

This study aims to measure growth in interprofessional knowledge, skills, and values in MSW students from three universities who participated in a Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training program focused on serving children, adolescents, and transition-age youth.

Methods

Students participated in an interprofessional field placement and specialized educational sessions that addressed interprofessional team-based care, engaging at-risk youth and families, and working with vulnerable populations. The Interprofessional Socialization and Valuing Scale (ISVS) was administered pre- and post-experience.

Results

Paired t-tests of the ISVS total score and each subscale showed statistically significant increases over time. Multiple regression models indicated only the pretest score was a significant predictor of the posttest score for the total or subscale of the ISVS.

Conclusion

Social work programs that create interprofessional education and training opportunities can achieve positive outcomes in student attitudes toward interprofessional practice.

KEYWORDS:

• Interprofessional team
• social work education
• interprofessional practice
• integrated collaborative practice

Conflict of interest

We have no known conflict of interest to disclose.

Additional information

Funding

This project was supported by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) under awards G02HP27969, G02HP27974, GO2HP27982 Behavioral Health Workforce Education and Training for Professionals and Paraprofessionals for $1,225,742, $511,084, and $1,202,857 (0% financed with nongovernmental sources). This information or content and conclusions are those of the authors and should not be construed as the official position or policy of, nor should any endorsements be inferred by HRSA, HHS or the U.S. Government; Health Resources and Services Administration [G02HP27974,G02HP27969,G02HP27982];