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Setting the Stage for Change: A Co-Produced, Interprofessional Forum Theatre Simulation Addressing Oral Health
Hannelie Edgar1, Ailish McMeel2, Gerard McWilliams2
1Northern Ireland Medical and, Dental Training Agency, Belfast, UK.
Summary
Interprofessional forum theatre improved dental and nursing students' confidence in caring for adults with intellectual disabilities. This novel approach addresses health inequalities by enhancing dental care knowledge and understanding.
Area of Science:
- Health Sciences
- Education
- Social Sciences
Background:
- Adults with intellectual disabilities face significant oral health disparities, including higher rates of untreated dental caries, periodontal disease, and edentulism.
- Addressing these inequalities requires effective interdisciplinary collaboration within healthcare education.
- A novel interprofessional education (IPE) activity was developed by researchers at Queen's University, Belfast.
Purpose of the Study:
- To provide healthcare educators with a guide for implementing interprofessional forum theatre.
- To enhance the training of dental and intellectual disability nursing students through innovative educational methods.
- To improve the oral healthcare provision for adults with intellectual disabilities.
Main Methods:
- A mixed-methods study evaluated the effectiveness of forum theatre as an interprofessional teaching tool.
- 18 undergraduate dental and intellectual disability nursing students participated in the IPE activity.
- Data were collected through questionnaires and reflective feedback, providing quantitative and qualitative insights.
Main Results:
- The interprofessional forum theatre workshop significantly enhanced students' knowledge and understanding of caring for adults with intellectual disabilities.
- Student confidence in providing dental care to this population increased notably after the intervention.
- Key factors for success included aligned professional learning objectives, co-production with individuals with intellectual disabilities, and transformative learning theory.
Conclusions:
- Interprofessional forum theatre is a valuable tool for educating healthcare professionals on the specific needs of adults with intellectual disabilities.
- The approach effectively bridges gaps in knowledge and confidence, leading to improved potential patient care.
- Successful implementation hinges on collaborative design and a strong theoretical foundation in learning.
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