An Interprofessional Education Pilot Study for Nursing and Speech-Language Pathology Students

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Education
• Interprofessional Collaboration
• Clinical Practice

Background:

• Interprofessional education (IPE) faces implementation challenges despite its promise for complex patient care.
• Effective collaboration among healthcare professionals is crucial for optimal patient outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the impact of IPE on undergraduate and graduate students' understanding of nursing and speech-language pathologist (SLP) roles.
• To evaluate knowledge acquisition regarding interprofessional collaboration in managing patients with dysphagia.

Main Methods:

• A pilot study employed a nonequivalent comparison, before-and-after design.
• Pre- and post-tests were administered to assess students' knowledge of nursing and SLP roles.
• The study included both undergraduate and graduate students.

Main Results:

• A statistically significant improvement in post-test scores compared to pre-test scores was observed (F(1, 19) = 17.42, p = 0.001, partial η² = 0.48).
• Students demonstrated enhanced knowledge regarding the roles of nurses and SLPs after the intervention.

Conclusions:

• IPE interventions positively impact students' understanding of interprofessional roles.
• This study underscores the importance of integrating collaborative healthcare professional experiences into academic curricula.