Promoting interprofessional learning and enhancing the pre-registration student experience through reciprocal cross...

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Education
• Interprofessional Learning
• Peer Tutoring

Background:

• Healthcare programs promote interprofessional education (IPE) to improve collaboration and care quality.
• A reciprocal peer learning model involves pre-registration physiotherapy and nursing students.
• Year two students tutor year one students, enhancing interprofessional understanding and skills.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore participant experiences in cross-professional peer-tutored clinical skills workshops.
• Investigated the impact on nursing (n=67) and physiotherapy (n=53) students in 2015.

Main Methods:

• Mixed methods approach using qualitative (focus groups, interviews, n=27) and quantitative data.
• Thematic analysis of transcribed qualitative data.
• Readiness for Interprofessional Learning Scale (n=84) administered pre- and post-workshop.

Main Results:

• Four themes emerged: benefits of peer tutoring, interprofessional teamwork, quality of care, and delivery factors.
• Students gained understanding of interprofessional roles and new skills.
• Peer tutors gained confidence and inspired early-stage students; positive attitudes towards IPE were observed.

Conclusions:

• Voluntary peer tutoring enhances the higher education experience.
• Students gain confidence, inspire peers, and supplement interprofessional learning.
• The model is effective in promoting interprofessional collaboration and skills.