Evaluation of an Interprofessional Elective Course for Health Professions Students: Teaching Core Competencies for Interprofessional Collaborative Practice

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the efficacy of an elective course for health professions students designed to expose, immerse, and provide opportunities for mastery of the core competencies needed for interprofessional collaborative practice (i.e. teamwork, interprofessional communication, values/ethics, and the roles and responsibilities of other health professions). METHODS Undergraduate and graduate students from 5 health professions (pharmacy, nursing, medicine, communication sciences and disorders, and social work) at the University of Cincinnati Academic Health Center who were enrolled in an elective course in the fall of 2014 were asked to complete the following 3 surveys at key time points in the semester: Clinical Cultural Competency Questionnaire (CCCQ) – modified pre-training version, Team Climate Inventory (TCI) – short version, and the Interprofessional Socialization and Valuing Scale (ISVS). RESULTS Of 41 students, 40 consented to participate in the study and 95% of participants (n = 38) completed all surveys, in addition to a final course evaluation. Statistically significant differences in pre- and post-assessments of each survey and positive end-of-the-semester course evaluations indicate students’ perceived progression toward mastery of the 4 core competencies. CONCLUSIONS Positive results of the surveys and course evaluation demonstrate an effective and feasible model of providing didactic IP experiences that will enhance health professions students’ essential skills for interprofessional collaborative practice.