A national survey to map IPE in Ireland

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Education
• Allied Health Professions
• Interprofessional Practice

Background:

• Interprofessional education (IPE) in Ireland is nascent, lacking comprehensive data on its prevalence and nature.
• Understanding existing IPE initiatives is crucial for identifying gaps and building a foundation for future implementation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To map the geographical distribution, settings, and types of interprofessional education (IPE) activities across the Island of Ireland.
• To provide baseline data to inform the strategic development and expansion of IPE programs.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional, online, anonymous survey was employed to collect data on IPE.
• Data analysis involved exporting raw survey responses to Microsoft Excel for tabulation and review.

Main Results:

• Twenty-one participants completed the survey, primarily from physiotherapy and speech and language therapy (n=12).
• IPE activities were reported in four counties, with university educators (n=14) more represented than clinical educators (n=7).
• Common IPE methods included shared modules and guest lectures; university settings favored problem-based learning, while clinical settings offered limited inter-professional student collaboration.

Conclusions:

• Current interprofessional education in Ireland is concentrated in specific professions and geographical areas.
• Limited opportunities for inter-professional student collaboration in clinical settings may hinder the development of essential workforce skills.
• Further development of IPE is needed to enhance collaborative practice readiness among future healthcare professionals.