An interprofessional learning module on asthma health promotion

Area of Science:

• Health Professions Education
• Interprofessional Learning
• Asthma Health Promotion

Background:

• Effective asthma management requires interprofessional collaboration.
• Health professions students need training in teamwork and health promotion.
• The 'Taking Action Together for Asthma' module was developed to address this need.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop, implement, and evaluate a novel interprofessional learning module focused on asthma health promotion.
• To assess the impact of the module on students' asthma knowledge, attitudes toward healthcare teams, and readiness for interprofessional learning.

Main Methods:

• A 3-day interprofessional learning module was delivered to 30 students from medicine, nursing, and pharmacy.
• Students participated in a workshop, received training in the Adolescent Asthma Action (Triple A) program, and taught it to high school students.
• Pre- and post-module questionnaires assessed asthma knowledge, attitudes toward healthcare teams, and readiness for interprofessional learning.

Main Results:

• Seventeen students completed both pre- and post-module assessments.
• Significant improvements were observed in mean scores for Attitudes Toward Health Care Teams.
• Significant improvements were also noted in the Teamwork and Collaboration subscale of the Readiness for Interprofessional Learning Scale (RIPLS).

Conclusions:

• Interprofessional learning modules focused on health promotion activities are effective.
• This approach fosters collaboration and improves attitudes towards teamwork among health professions students.
• The 'Taking Action Together for Asthma' module demonstrates a viable mechanism for interprofessional education.