Exploring Interprofessional Collaboration in Teaching Between Nursing and Physical Therapy.

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Education
• Nursing Education
• Interprofessional Practice

Background:

• Integrating interprofessional concepts prepares students for complex care environments.
• Limited data exists on interprofessional collaboration in education involving diverse faculty and students.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore nursing students' perceptions of an interprofessional collaboration in teaching.
• To assess the impact of joint nursing and physical therapist (PT) educator involvement on student learning.

Main Methods:

• Utilized the Satisfaction and Self-Confidence in Learning Survey (SCLS) and written responses.
• Collected data from 31 nursing students participating in interprofessional teaching sessions.

Main Results:

• Nursing students reported higher SCLS scores when PT educators were involved.
• Key themes included appreciating external expertise, improved self-efficacy in mobility skills, and opportunities for collaboration.
• Students also noted satisfaction with the learning experience, alongside some conflicting information.

Conclusions:

• Interprofessional collaboration in teaching positively impacts student satisfaction and self-confidence.
• This approach fosters core competencies essential for interprofessional collaborative practice.