Inter-professional education : faculty's perceptions in a private University, Karachi, Pakistan

Date of Award

2015

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science in Nursing (MScN)

Department

School of Nursing and Midwifery, Pakistan

Abstract

With the increased complexity of health care, professionals are not able to keep pace with new the demands and the rate of change; Particularly in reference to team competencies. Inter-Professional Education (WE), is a strategy recommended by WHO, 10M, and Lancet Commissions, to foster effective collaboration between health professionals and to improve health care outcomes. Faculty members are the main stakeholders in health professional education and they play an important role in any changes in the educational system, including implementing WE. In order to implement this strategy, it is important to understand faculty perceptions about 1PE and its implementation. Methodology: This study used a qualitative descriptive exploratory design to investigate the perceptions of health professions' faculty members, regarding 1PE at a private university in Karachi, Pakistan. Twelve faculty members were recruited, three from each profession (Medicine, Basic Health Sciences, Nursing, and Midwifery). Data was collected using semi- structured, in-depth interviews. A manual thematic analyses approach was used for data analyses. Results: The data analyses showed three broad themes, I) Understanding of 1PE, 2) Challenges of IPE, and 3) Benefits of IPE. Theme one was subdivided into: a) Clarity of IPE and b) Implementation of 1PE; Theme two was subdivided into: a) Curriculum alignment b) Resources and c) Professional silos. Theme three was subdivided into: a) Better students experience and b) Better quality of healthcare. Conclusion: There was a general lack of understanding about IPE among the study participants, although, they had a positive perception of 1PE implementation. The main perceived challenges of IPE implementation were curriculum alignment, availability of resources, and professional silos. The IPE benefits that they perceived were better student experience and better quality of health care. There is a need to bring faculty from health care professions to a clear understanding and shared position about of IPE using the available training platforms.

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