title: Student perceptions about interprofessional education after an elective course.
abstract: A growing body of evidence indicates interprofessional collaborative practice improves patient care. With this in mind, Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center formally committed to expanding interprofessional education (IPE) initiatives. Thirty-eight self-selected students enrolled in an IPE elective course during the fall of 2012. Students completed the Readiness for Interprofessional Learning Scale (RIPLS) pre- and post-course and also completed a post-course survey. Results indicated a significant change in the roles and responsibilities scale of the RIPLS. Analysis of the data from the post-course survey demonstrated students were able to identify key terms of an IPE definition, as related to their learning experience. In addition, themes of communication, learning/increased knowledge, and collaboration/contribution of other health care professionals were noted across all questions in the post-course survey. Based on the results of this study, an elective course is a promising educational opportunity to increase awareness and knowledge of IPE within academic medical centers.
authors.affiliation: LSU Health Sciences Center , New Orleans, LA , USA.
authors.forename: Tina Patel
authors.initials: TP
authors.lastname: Gunaldo
authors.forename: Sandra Carlin
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Andrieu
authors.forename: Deborah
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Garbee
authors.forename: Lauren K
authors.initials: LK
authors.lastname: Giovingo
authors.forename: Donald E
authors.initials: DE
authors.lastname: Mercante
authors.forename: Stephanie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tortu
authors.forename: Robin
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: English
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003299:Cooperative Behavior; D006282:Health Personnel / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D007400:Interprofessional Relations; D010465:Perception; D018794:Problem-Based Learning; D013336:Students, Health Occupations / Q000523:psychology*
keywords: Academic medical centers; interprofessional education; readiness for interprofessional learning scaleroles and responsibilities; student perceptions