Interprofessional curriculum development achieves results: Initial evidence from a dementia-care protocol

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Medical Education
• Interprofessional Healthcare

Background:

• Undergraduate healthcare students require preparation for collaborative practice, particularly in aged care settings.
• Dementia care necessitates effective interprofessional collaboration to address complex patient needs.
• Existing educational models may not adequately prepare students for the realities of dementia care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate a five-day, protocol-based interprofessional education (IPE) initiative for undergraduate medical, nursing, and paramedic students.
• To assess the impact of the IPE initiative on student attitudes towards collaborative practice and knowledge of dementia.
• To determine the effectiveness of a structured IPE experience in Residential Aged Care Facilities (RACFs) for dementia care training.

Main Methods:

• A five-day, protocol-based IPE initiative was implemented in two RACFs involving 127 undergraduate students.
• The initiative utilized a seven-step protocol focused on collaborative assessments of adults with complex health needs.
• Student attitudes and knowledge were evaluated using pre- and post-placement questionnaires and a knowledge quiz.

Main Results:

• The IPE initiative demonstrated positive changes in student attitudes regarding collaborative practice.
• Participation in the dementia-care setting encouraged dementia-related learning outcomes among students.
• Supervised, protocol-based IPE in RACFs appears effective in enhancing student preparedness for collaborative dementia care.

Conclusions:

• A short-term, structured IPE program in dementia care can positively influence student attitudes towards teamwork.
• IPE initiatives in aged care settings can enhance students' knowledge and readiness for collaborative dementia care.
• Protocol-based IPE is a valuable strategy for preparing future healthcare professionals for interprofessional collaboration in dementia care.