Interprofessional education among Nigerian clinical students: implications for interprofessional care (A mixed method analysis).

This study was designed to investigate clinical students' awareness, knowledge, and perception of IPE. A mixed method convergent parallel design of Cross-Sectional Survey (CSS) and Focus Group Discussion (FGD) was used. Data on awareness, perception and knowledge about IPE were collected using a self-developed, content-validated questionnaire and Readiness for Interprofessional Learning Scale, respectively, and was analysed using Chi-Square, and Mann-Whitney U test at α = 0.05. For the FGD, data were collected from 13 purposively selected students in a Nigerian university and analysed through content thematic analysis. Participants in the CSS were aged 21.9 ± 2.0 years. Over half of the participants (57.4%) reported being unaware of IPE. More than half (73.0%) of the participants that were aware had good knowledge. Majority (93.3%) had a positive perception of IPE. There was a significant association between participants' knowledge and perception (p = 0.008) of IPE; however, there was no significant association (p = 0.051) between their awareness and perception. Also, there were no significant sex variations in the knowledge of IPE (0.371). However, there was a significant sex difference in their perception (p = 0.008). Some of the discussants in the FGD reported being aware of the term IPE. Discussants had at least fair knowledge of IPE and reported that IPE is important; and supports its formal implementation and inclusion in the curricula of study; emphasizing...
Source: Journal of Interprofessional Care - Category: Health Management Tags: J Interprof Care Source Type: research