Interprofessional ethics and professionalism debates: findings from a study involving physiotherapy and pharmacy students

Abstract

Ethics is a core component of healthcare curricula and may provide ideal content for interprofessional education (IPE). An IPE debate in ethics and professionalism was developed for first year undergraduate pharmacy and physiotherapy students. A controlled “before-and-after” study was conducted. The opinion of students on IPE, the debate topics and debating was determined before and after the debate. While there was no impact on attitudes to IPE or healthcare professionals, students agreed that debating ethics through IPE was a valid teaching modality. Students found the debates challenging. They stimulated critical thinking and interest in complex and controversial issues. Students also found it of benefit to work as a team. We conclude that in-class debate is a useful way of learning together.