Faculty Advisor

Dr. Patrick Pabian, PT, DPT, OCS, SCS, CSCS; Dr. Laurie Neely, PT, DPT, NCS; Dr. Jennifer Tucker, PT, DPT, PCS

Publication Date

Spring 2020

Abstract

Interprofessional practice (IPP) has been identified as a model to meet the needs of patients in today’s healthcare system. This can be achieved through purposeful interprofessional education of students in healthcare disciplines within clinical environments, where the delivery of care takes place.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between the past participation of students in an IPP with interprofessional attitudes of students, as measured by the Interprofessional Attitudes Scale (IPAS). It further sought to examine group differences in IPAS based on discipline, while controlling for IPP experience.

METHODS: Participants consisted of 170 students from medicine, physical therapy, social work, nursing, and pharmacy. A Pearson correlation coefficient examined association of IPAS scores and IPP, while an analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) evaluated group differences.

RESULTS: A statistically significant positive relationship existed for total IPAS scores and IPP experiences for medical students, but no other discipline. However, the total sample demonstrated a significant relationship in the “interprofessional bias” subdomain. Further, when controlling for IPP experience, IPAS scores differed between medical students and all other disciplines.

CONCLUSION: IPP appears to have an association with interprofessional attitudes among health professional students, especially medical students. In addition, evidence supports continued curricular design to cultivate interprofessional behaviors in students.

Access Status

UCF Only

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