A dissertation completed at
The Center for Education, Widener University,
One University Place, Chester, PA 19013 		 
HEALTH PROFESSIONS' STUDENTS REACTIONS TO A MODEL INTERDISCIPLINARY EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE IN COLLABORATIVE TEAM PRACTICE
Lorraine C. Igo
Tuesday March 26, 2002

RETURN
edited 11/03/02

 

ABSTRACT


This qualitative study focused on the attitudes, perceptions, and motivations of health professions' students toward interdisciplinary team collaborative practice. Eleven students representing the disciplines of medicine, nursing, social work, and allied health participated in a 2-week intensive training for interdisciplinary collaborative team practice. Following course completion, students were interviewed on their attitudes and perceptions toward team collaborative practice.

Results of the interview data were successful in illuminating how students really felt about the team collaborative approach and in corroborating the research literature that advocates for the formal inclusion of interdisciplinary principles, concepts, and skills early into pre-professional education and training.

Using a case study approach, the data provided enrichment to the quantitative data collected during the course's established pre and post-testing procedures. Post course interviews, using a series of open-ended questions, were recorded and compared to those comments documented by the participant-researcher during the class sessions and to the pre and post-test scores designed to measure gains in interdisciplinary knowledge, for increased confidence level in interdisciplinary practice skills, and in change of attitude and perception toward interdisciplinary practice.

Student voice confirmed that issues of power struggles among the disciplines, lack of respect and knowledge about practices roles and contributions of others, and ineffective communication and coordination across disciplines continue in pre- professional education and are believed to be core to the problems inherent in the delivery of health care today.

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