Cancer Care Pre-registration Interprofessional Education with Expert Patients: A Qualitative Study

Area of Science:

• Health Professions Education
• Patient Experience
• Oncology Nursing

Background:

• Interprofessional education (IPE) often involves patients passively, but rarely as expert patients (EPs).
• There is a need to understand the patient perspective when they actively participate in IPE.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the experiences of patients acting as EPs in an IPE learning activity in Aotearoa New Zealand.
• To understand patient motivations, perceptions, and contributions to student learning.

Main Methods:

• Qualitative study involving interviews with ten EPs.
• EPs had completed or were completing outpatient radiation therapy.
• Thematic analysis of interview data.

Main Results:

• EPs felt they had significant contributions to make to student learning.
• Patients participated to help students understand the realities of cancer and treatment.
• EPs perceived students as well-prepared and professional.
• Effective student introductions, including cultural appropriateness, facilitated patient openness.

Conclusions:

• Patients are willing to serve as EPs in IPE.
• The approach and selection of EPs require careful consideration.
• Patient involvement as EPs can enhance interprofessional learning by providing authentic experiences.