Date of Award
Spring 2018
Rights
Access is available to all users
Document Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS) in Dental Hygiene
Department
Dental Hygiene
Abstract
Purpose: The purpose of this research was to explore the effectiveness of a student-led interprofessional education (IPE) workshop in improving student attitudes and perceptions toward IPE. Students from four health science programs including Dental Hygiene, Communication Sciences and Disorders/Speech and Hearing, Health Services Administration and Occupational Therapy participated in a community service event. Students provided screenings to veteran patients including a health history intake, hearing test, and sleep screening while other students observed.
Methods: Students were asked to attend an orientation, the Vets Day IPE workshop, and a debrief session. This mixed methods approach study utilized the Readiness for Interprofessional Learning Scale (RIPLS) to assess students’ attitudes and perceptions toward IPE. The RIPLS (Likert scale) was used as a pre- and post-test to assess changes in students’ scores. The pre-test was administered prior to the IPE workshop. The post- test was administered following the workshop. Qualitative data derived from a debrief session where students answered guided questions in groups regarding their experience through discussion.
Results: Results indicated a statistically significant difference (p<.05) in participants’ attitudes and perceptions toward IPE using the RIPLS. Statistical significance was found within each RIPLS subscale where participants showed a positive change in their readiness for interprofessional learning. Qualitative data revealed positive feedback about the workshop and an improvement in learning about different professions.
Conclusion: The results of this study show a student-led approach to IPE through a community service project is beneficial in improving student attitudes and perceptions of IPE.
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-No Derivative Works 4.0 International License.
Recommended Citation
Doerschuk, Lindsay Ann, "Exploring student-led interprofessional education through a community service project" (2018). EWU Masters Thesis Collection. 478.
https://dc.ewu.edu/theses/478
Included in
Dental Hygiene Commons, Dental Public Health and Education Commons, Health and Medical Administration Commons, Interprofessional Education Commons, Occupational Therapy Commons, Speech and Hearing Science Commons
