What makes medical students receptive to interprofessional education? Findings from an exploratory case study

Interprofessional education (IPE) continues to grow as a field internationally, and therefore has become a key activity which numerous institutions have implemented around the world. A number of learner characteristics have been suggested as being important for the success of interprofessional interventions, including prior experiences, expectations, and motivations. This study sought to explore medical student engagement with IPE and the factors that affect this. Twelve final and penultimate year students took part in two focus groups to discuss previous IPE and the factors which they felt led to successful interprofessional experiences. Thematic analysis was used to interpret the data. Students were found to be receptive to the idea of IPE, but had some reservations about its current form. Students were enthusiastic about clinically relevant IPE experiences, but were put off by generic teambuilding exercises, especially those with a poor mix of professional groups. They also reported being aware of interprofessional tensions and communication issues, which they felt might be alleviated through frequent interprofessional contact at the undergraduate level. This study suggests that medical students desire realistic, clinically relevant, interprofessional experiences, with a good mix of professionals, through which they can gain more awareness of their own role and that of other professionals.