Student reflections following exposure to a case-based interprofessional learning experience: Preliminary findings

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Education
• Interprofessional Learning
• Medical Simulation

Background:

• Interprofessional teamwork is crucial for effective healthcare delivery.
• Early exposure to interprofessional education (IPE) can enhance collaborative skills.
• Case-based learning (CBL) provides a realistic context for IPE.

Purpose of the Study:

• To analyze student reflections on their initial interprofessional teamwork experience in a CBL setting.
• To identify strengths and weaknesses of the implemented IPE seminar.
• To inform future improvements in interprofessional case-based learning design.

Main Methods:

• A three-hour interprofessional case-based learning seminar was developed and delivered.
• 305 healthcare students participated in simulated clinical scenarios with standardized patients.
• Thematic analysis was conducted on students' written reflections.

Main Results:

• Students appreciated the shared learning and realistic case studies.
• Participants suggested smaller, more representative teams (including medicine, psychology, social work) for improved communication.
• Identified themes provided insights for future planning but lacked statistical comparative data.

Conclusions:

• The interprofessional case-based learning seminar was valued by students for its realism and collaborative opportunities.
• Enhancements are needed in team composition and structure to optimize learning outcomes.
• Future research should incorporate robust designs for measuring IPE effectiveness, including pre- and post-seminar data and comparisons with profession-specific training.