![Sample our Health and Social Care journals, sign in here to start your FREE access for 14 days]({"type":"image" , "src" : "/sda/5938/TOC-Subject-Sample-2021-Health-Social-Care.jpg"})
Abstract
With collaborative interprofessional teams integral to school mental health (SMH) service delivery, pre-service educational strategies are needed to promote interprofessional collaboration among SMH trainees. The current study evaluated the effectiveness, feasibility, and acceptability of a pre-service, interprofessional SMH educational intervention focused on promoting the cross-disciplinary competencies essential for SMH practice. Eight SMH trainees participated in the study. Using a mixed-method design, quantitative pre/post competency data were collected via trainee self-report. Qualitative data were collected through a focus group and reflection journals. Results indicate that the intervention promoted competency in all areas, with significant growth in the provision of learning supports to youth. Key factors influencing intervention feasibility included time/scheduling, changing school team composition, and project coordination. Trainees’ perceptions of the educational intervention were related to buy-in, clinical experience, and role flexibility. Implications for the design of pre-service interprofessional SMH education strategies are discussed.
Acknowledgements
Support for the study was provided by the Office of the Vice President for Research, University of South Carolina. We also would like to acknowledge the school leaders, school mental health trainees, and other graduate and undergraduate students who helped support this project.
Declaration of interest
The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of this article.