A mixed methods study to assess perception of interprofessional learning among pre-university students for medicine and dentistry

Abstract

Interprofessional education (IPE) leads to positive mutual attitudes, better understanding of professional roles in caring for patients.This study was undertaken to assess the perception of interprofessional education of pre-university students even before they enter professional courses.: This is a mixed methods sequential explanatory study design involving sixty-four pre-university students, who were exposed to interprofessional related activity by interacting with medical and dental students on given health scenarios. The interprofessional education and interdisciplinary education perception scale (IEPS) to measure the student’s perception towards IPE. Wilcoxon Signed Rank test were calculated. The qualitative analysis was done to further analyse the quantitative data through online interviews.The student’s perception towards competence & autonomy, perceived need for cooperation, perception of actual cooperation and understanding other’s value were significantly higher from somewhat disagree of score 3 (P<0.001). Most foundation year students realized that by learning with various professional students would make them effective member of health care team and promote collaborative practice. : It can be a good idea to sensitize the pre university students to interprofessional education.