Difficult to Doable: Interprofessional Collaborative Practice in Distance Education.

BACKGROUND

This study investigated the effect of interprofessional educational (IPE) in a distance education setting on students' self-efficacy around the Interprofessional Collaborative Practice (IPEC) constructs.

METHOD

Senior RN-to-Bachelor of Science nursing students, students from health sciences, and dietetic intern students participated in the IPE learning experience. A pre- postsurvey design measured the change in student self-efficacy in relation to the IPEC constructs of values and ethics, roles and responsibilities, interprofessional communication, and teams and teamwork.

RESULTS

In total, 92 students participated and 46 completed the pre-postsurvey. There were statistically significant changes in student self-efficacy across all constructs. Qualitative comments revealed themes of collaboration strengthening care, the value of exposure to different perspectives, and desire for commonly shared goals among the team.

CONCLUSION

Research on IPE in distance education lags behind IPE in traditional settings. This study revealed that IPE is attainable in distance education, with significant changes in student's self-efficacy. Self-efficacy is a key indicator of future behavior. [J Nurs Educ. 2018;57(4):225-228.].