Results and lessons learned from a virtual multi-institutional problem-based interprofessional learning approach: The...

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Education
• Medical Training
• Interprofessional Collaboration

Background:

• Healthcare delivery is increasingly complex, necessitating effective interprofessional collaboration.
• Interprofessional education (IPE) is crucial for developing essential collaboration skills in students.
• Accrediting bodies mandate IPE to prepare a competent healthcare workforce.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce an innovative virtual interprofessional education (VIPE) model for healthcare students.
• To assess the impact of VIPE on students' knowledge and attitudes regarding interprofessional collaborative practice.
• To provide a scalable solution for IPE in response to growing virtual learning demands.

Main Methods:

• Development of a VIPE model integrating asynchronous and synchronous learning.
• Combination of Problem-Based Learning (PBL)/Case-Based Learning (CBL) with psychological safety principles.
• Implementation within an online healthcare program for cross-professional student collaboration.

Main Results:

• Statistically significant gains in knowledge related to interprofessional collaborative practice.
• Demonstrated positive shifts in attitudes toward interprofessional collaborative practice.
• Successful simulation of clinical practice environments through a virtual platform.

Conclusions:

• The VIPE model effectively enhances healthcare students' collaborative competencies.
• VIPE offers a viable and high-quality solution for interprofessional education in virtual settings.
• The model's success highlights its potential to address the growing need for IPE, especially post-COVID-19.