title: Perceptions of interprofessional education and practice within a complementary and alternative medicine institution.
abstract: A survey of the constituents of a complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) institution was conducted to identify perceptions of interprofessional education (IPE) and practice (IPP). A 22 question survey was developed and administered to: chiropractic students, acupuncture and oriental medicine students, faculty and alumni of both professions, staff and administrators. The majority of the 321 respondents demonstrated positive perceptions of IPE and IPP, however many reported a lack of understanding of the distinct roles of select healthcare professions. The study also suggested that the campus community is not homogenous in its understanding of CAM or allopathic professions, or is it homogenous in its understanding of IPE and IPP. While the overall positive attitudes toward IPE and IPP imply a willingness to improve collaboration between these groups, the lack of understanding of profession-specific roles must be addressed to support effective implementation of IPE.
authors.affiliation: Division of Integrative Health Sciences .
authors.forename: Gena E
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Kadar
authors.forename: Andrew
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Vosko
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sackett
authors.forename: H Garrett Rush
authors.initials: HG
authors.lastname: Thompson
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D000529:Complementary Therapies / Q000193:education*; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D003479:Curriculum; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D010465:Perception; D024382:Professional Role
keywords: Acupuncture; attitudes of health personnel; chiropractic; complementary and alternative medicine; interprofessional education; interprofessional practice