title: An exploration of the experiences of recent graduates from an interprofessional foundation degree.
abstract: This short report describes a study which aimed to explore the experiences of newly qualified assistant practitioners (APs) from an interprofessional foundation degree in long-term conditions. Interviews were carried out with one cohort of newly qualified APs and their employee mentors, 6-9 months after the APs had re-entered full-time practice. Three major themes were identified after analysis of the interview transcripts: widened AP horizons, poor AP pay and conditions and friction between APs and their colleagues. The course was highly praised by the APs and their workplace mentors. Unfortunately, the workplace infrastructure needed to support the APs was reported to be inadequate.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health and Social Care Sciences, St George's University of London & Kingston University, London, UK. cnorrie@sgul.ac.uk
authors.forename: Caroline
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Norrie
authors.forename: Alison
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Hasselder
authors.forename: Chris
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Manning
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D002983:Clinical Competence; D006801:Humans; D033183:Interdisciplinary Communication; D058025:Interdisciplinary Studies; D008131:London; D008134:Long-Term Care; D009722:Nurse Practitioners / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology*; D059825:Physical Therapists / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology*; D036301:Qualitative Research