Abstract
Objective- The purpose of this study was to investigate students' perspectives on a newly implemented program of Interprofessional education (IPE) in terms of its effectiveness in increasing the awareness about other health care professionals and providing tools to emerging dental professionals for comprehensive health care needs. Methods- A new IPE course was incorporated in the second year of the predoctoral dental curriculum, and educators and students from various health professionals came together to provide a collaborative learning environment. The study evaluated the survey data from the graduating classes of 2019 and 2020 in the predoctoral program at Harvard School of Dental Medicine. The students were surveyed during and at the end of the course to obtain their perspectives on the effectiveness of the program. Result-The results of the surveys showed most student respondents agreed strongly that they liked getting information from other health professionals and 93-95% agreed that collaborating with other members of the health care team can help facilitate patients' overall health care. The IPE sessions helped bring about awareness of interprofessional relations and communications within the health care team and prepared the students for holistic patient care. Conclusion- The IPE methods facilitated an interactive and interprofessional learning environment to assist students in developing awareness of interprofessional relations and communications within the health care team. The connections between oral and systemic health were reinforced, thus giving predoctoral dental students a wider view of patient treatment and consideration for their patients’ comprehensive health care needs.
Highlights
Interprofessional Education (IPE) involves providing patient centered care along with patient safety by working within and across health care
Future health care providers need training in such collaborative teams to facilitate communication and professionalism, and improve patient outcomes. (Andrews, 2017; Park, Donoff, & Saldana, 2017) It is essential that dental curricula prepare students to work in interprofessional teams and to provide collaborative care for patients. (Park, Donoff, & Saldana, 2017; Peeters et al, 2017; Interprofessional Professionalism Collaborators, 2016; Canadian Interprofessional Health Collaborative, 2010; Jone et al, 2017; Hendricson & Cohen, 2001)
At Harvard School of Dental Medicine (HSDM), a new interprofessional education (IPE) course was introduced for the predoctoral students in the second year
Summary
Interprofessional Education (IPE) involves providing patient centered care along with patient safety by working within and across health care. (Andrews, 2017; Park, Donoff, & Saldana, 2017) It is essential that dental curricula prepare students to work in interprofessional teams and to provide collaborative care for patients. (Park, Donoff, & Saldana, 2017) The integrated clinic aimed to engage students from different professions for interactive learning with each other and to teach students primary care medicine with a focus on oral health. Students from different disciplines of health care learned from each other in sessions facilitated and guided by faculty from across the health care professions
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