Clinical inter-professional education activities: Students’ perceptions of their experiences

Abstract

Background and purpose
Students from different health disciplines should learn together during certain periods of their education to acquire skills necessary
for solving the health problems. The Faculty of Health Sciences of University of the Witwatersrand created inter-professional
education (IPE) activities for students to assess clinical IPE groups’ perceptions of IPE experiences and to identify lessons learnt
during IPE sessions.
Methods
This was a qualitative study with review of the students’ post IPE feedback forms. The students were granted ‘protected time’ of
three full days over a period of two months to participate in IPE activities.
Results
Students felt that knowledge about health team members was gained and that IPE groups should have more than one person from
each field with the same level of clinical exposure. The students indicated the need to have regular IPE activities and if possible to
incorporate this into clinical practice for them to experience it in daily clinical practice.
Conclusion
Participating in the IPE activity made students gain appreciation and respect for other health professionals’ roles and scope. When
student groups are big, patient observations can be done as this does not compromise IPE learning outcomes. Group composition
should be kept in mind to cater for the learning needs of all students. If it is not possible to meet the needs of all professions, smaller
groups with professions applicable to case can be created.