Analysis of an Interprofessional Home Visit Assignment: Student Perceptions of Team-Based Care, Home Visits, and Medication-Related Problems

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

1-1-2014

Description

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Interprofessional education (IPE) is recommended by many as a means by which to prepare clinicians for collaborative practice and a mechanism by which to improve the overall quality of health care. The objective of this study was to determine the impact of an interprofessional medicine-pharmacy student home visit experience on students’ self-assessments of skills and abilities related to team-based care and identification of medication-related problems. METHODS: Third-year medical and fourth-year pharmacy students completed an interprofessional home visit centered on identification of medication-related problems. Students were surveyed before and after the IPE assignment to assess changes in self-assessed skills and abilities. Survey items consisted of Likert-type statements on a 5-point scale (1=strongly disagree, 5=strongly agree) and free-text responses. Students also completed reflection papers regarding their experiences. RESULTS: Twenty-two medical and 20 pharmacy students conducted medication-focused interviews of 22 patients at home as interprofessional teams. Medical and pharmacy student self-assessments of skills and abilities related to team-based care and identification of medication-related problems improved after completion of the assignment. Both groups of students perceived an improvement in confidence regarding communication skills, both with patients and with other health professions students. Changes were reported on 12 survey items. Student feedback on the IPE experience was positive. CONCLUSIONS: Students’ self-perception of skills and abilities related to interprofessional team-based care and identification of medication-related problems are improved after IPE medication-focused home visit assignment. Student feedback supports the value of interprofessional patient care clinical experiences.

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