A community-based geriatric interprofessional education experience and its impact on post-graduate collaborative...

Area of Science:

• Geriatric Medicine
• Health Professions Education
• Interprofessional Collaboration

Background:

• Limited data exists on the long-term impact of interprofessional education (IPE) on collaborative practice (CP).
• The global aging population necessitates understanding the sustained effects of community-based geriatric IPE programs.
• This research addresses the need to evaluate the lasting influence of IPE on geriatric care.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the long-term impact of the Interprofessional Geriatric Curriculum (IPGC) on post-graduate clinical practice.
• To assess the sustainability and effectiveness of a community-based geriatric IPE program.
• To identify specific skills and knowledge gained from the IPGC that are applied in clinical settings.

Main Methods:

• Cross-sectional descriptive study design.
• Online survey collecting qualitative and quantitative data from health professionals 1-3 years post-graduation.
• Inclusion of seven health professions to evaluate a broad impact.

Main Results:

• 80% of respondents reported the IPGC significantly impacted their practice.
• 46% of graduates provided clinical care for individuals aged 65 years or older.
• 81% worked in interprofessional teams, utilizing skills like teamwork, communication, and understanding roles/responsibilities.
• All participants used validated assessment tools taught in the IPGC program.

Conclusions:

• The IPGC demonstrates a sustained positive influence on health professionals' clinical practice, particularly in geriatrics.
• IPE programs, like the IPGC, can effectively equip graduates with essential interprofessional and geriatric-specific skills for long-term application.
• This study highlights the value of community-based IPE in preparing healthcare professionals for an aging population.