An Innovative Approach to Interprofessional Education: Medical Student-Nurse Partnerships in the Clinical Setting

Effective interdisciplinary collaboration (IPC) between physicians and other healthcare professionals is critical for enhancing patient outcomes. However, achieving successful collaboration remains challenging. This study aimed to develop an interprofessional elective that explores its impact on medical students' understanding of nursing roles and enhances collaboration between medical students and registered nurse (RN) facilitators.

In 2021, a clinical elective was offered to third- and fourth-year medical students at The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University. This 80-hour elective, delivered over two weeks, paired students with nurses on acute care units at Rhode Island Hospital. The program focused on improving the understanding of RN roles, communication skills, and developing collaborative partnerships. Surveys were administered to students and nurses before and after the elective to assess knowledge, skills, and attitudes regarding IPC.

Statistically significant improvements were observed in both students' and nurses' perceptions of nursing roles and interdisciplinary communication. Students demonstrated increased comfort in communicating with nurses and improved understanding of nursing duties. Nurses reported greater appreciation, with physicians placing importance in understanding their workflow. The majority of nurses agreed that the two-week duration was sufficient for students to gain meaningful insights into nursing practice.

This study is among the first to examine both medical students' and nurses' experiences during an interprofessional clinical elective. Findings suggest that such programs provide valuable insights into nursing workflows, improve communication, and foster mutual respect between disciplines. Despite some limitations, including a small sample size and single-site focus, the positive impact on both students and nurses supports the expansion of similar interprofessional electives. Future research should explore the long-term impact of these programs on collaborative behaviors.