Teaching primary health care: an interdisciplinary approach

Area of Science:

• Health Sciences
• Medical Education
• Allied Health Professions

Background:

• Primary health care (PHC) services are increasingly vital.
• Allied health professions, including nursing and radiography, require expanded roles.
• Educational institutions must prepare future professionals for these evolving demands.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess the impact of an interdisciplinary primary health care module on undergraduate allied health students.
• To evaluate the applicability of theoretical PHC principles to professional practice.
• To understand how the module influenced students' perceptions of their own role development.

Main Methods:

• An educational experiment was conducted at the University of Malta.
• Undergraduate students from allied health professions participated.
• A questionnaire was administered to gather student feedback on their experiences.

Main Results:

• The majority of respondents found the theoretical material highly applicable to their professional practice.
• The module facilitated students' understanding and development of their roles within primary health care settings.
• Students reported positive interdisciplinary learning experiences.

Conclusions:

• Including primary health care in undergraduate curricula is beneficial for allied health professions.
• Interdisciplinary education enhances the preparedness of future healthcare professionals.
• The study supports the integration of PHC principles across various health professions' educational programs.