Fostering gerontology students' competence in Interprofessional collaborative practice.

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Healthcare Professional Education
• Interprofessional Collaboration

Background:

• Interprofessional collaborative practice (IPCP) is vital for holistic care in older adults.
• Challenges in implementing IPCP in aged care settings are not well understood.
• This study investigates barriers to IPCP from healthcare professionals' perspectives.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the meaning and facilitators/barriers of IPCP in aged care.
• To examine challenges and opportunities in interprofessional gerontological education.
• To inform the development of IPCP curricula for healthcare professionals.

Main Methods:

• Semi-structured interviews with 16 healthcare professionals across acute, rehabilitative, and community aged care settings.
• Thematic analysis of verbatim interview transcripts by two independent researchers.
• Exploration of IPCP meaning, facilitators, barriers, and educational implications.

Main Results:

• Respondents believe IPCP enhances person-centred care and decision-making for older adults.
• Major barriers identified include lack of role clarity, insufficient interprofessional training, professional culture, and liability concerns.
• Suggested solutions involve innovative education, early curriculum integration, and improved communication.

Conclusions:

• Findings highlight critical areas for improvement in interprofessional gerontological education.
• A new curriculum is proposed to enhance students' competence in IPCP.
• Addressing identified barriers is essential for effective IPCP in aged care.