Understanding roles in health care through interprofessional educational experiences

Abstract

Background: Students can find interacting within a healthcare team challenging. It is important for students to understand their role and respect those of other healthcare team members. Interprofessional education (IPE) is a strategy for exploring the roles of self and others within the team. Aim: The purpose of this study was to evaluate nursing students' perceptions of roles and responsibilities following an IPE experience. Methods: Students in an undergraduate baccalaureate degree nursing programme participated in a two-day IPE event with students in the physician's assistant's (PA) programme, pharmacy programme, and physical therapy (PT) programme. Findings: Self-perception and the perception of others were two main themes that emerged. The results suggested that roles and responsibilities are often misunderstood. Conclusion: Educators must be committed to educating our future healthcare workforce on role expectations and responsibilities within an individual's own profession and that of others. This education should start in the foundation stages of each discipline's educational curricula.