Effectiveness of an interprofessional education program using team-based learning for medical students: A randomized...

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Healthcare Professional Development
• Team-Based Learning

Background:

• Increasingly complex healthcare demands necessitate interprofessional work (IPW) among health professionals.
• Interprofessional education (IPE) is crucial for effective IPW, particularly for medical students.
• This study investigates the impact of IPE on medical students' readiness for interprofessional learning.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effect of an interprofessional education (IPE) program on medical students' readiness for interprofessional learning.
• To compare the readiness levels of medical students participating in uniprofessional versus multiprofessional learning groups.

Main Methods:

• A team-based learning (TBL) approach was employed in the IPE program.
• Second-year medical students (n=126) and other healthcare profession students (n=18) participated.
• Medical students were randomly assigned to uniprofessional or multiprofessional groups and assessed using the Readiness for Interprofessional Learning Scale (RIPLS).

Main Results:

• A total of 112 medical students completed the pre- and post-program assessments (88.9% response rate).
• Multiprofessional groups showed a significantly greater increase in RIPLS total scores compared to uniprofessional groups (difference 3.17, p=0.022).
• Multiple regression analysis confirmed that multiprofessional learning enhanced readiness for interprofessional learning.

Conclusions:

• Participation in multiprofessional groups within an IPE program significantly boosts medical students' readiness for interprofessional learning.
• Team-based learning in a multiprofessional setting is an effective strategy for preparing future healthcare professionals for collaborative practice.
• IPE programs incorporating multiprofessional learning are vital for developing essential skills for modern healthcare environments.