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Abstract

Purpose: To examine students’ perceptions of interprofessional education (IPE) as a result of their participation in a community engagement experience with older adults. Methods: Thirty-six students enrolled in the undergraduate majors of athletic training, exercise science, and nutrition participated in an 8-week fall prevention program in two community dwelling senior centers. A one-group pretest-posttest evaluation design was used to assess the IPE experience of the students. Students completed the University of the West England Interprofessional Questionnaire pre and post intervention. Results: Both pretest and posttest student self-assessments of communication and teamwork skills ranged from slightly positive to neutral (means from 2.0 to 2.6). Students reported a statistical change in attitude from neutral (M = 2.3, SD + 1.1) in the direction of slightly positive (M = 2.0, SD + 1.1) toward being able to become quickly involved in new teams/groups from pretest to posttest t (26) = 2.53, p = .018; d = 0.49. 95% of students strongly agreed or agreed that the experience enabled them to interact with an unfamiliar and unique population as well as increased their understanding of other allied healthcare disciplines as a result of participation. No individual items nor the summary score exhibited statistical improvements over time. Conclusion: Overall, the intervention was successful in describing the IPE positive experiences and attitudes of undergraduate allied healthcare students when working in a senior adult population.

Author Bio(s)

Scott Heinerichs, EdD, ATC is a Professor of Sports Medicine at West Chester University in West Chester, PA. He is also a licensed athletic trainer in the state of Pennsylvania.

Marybeth Gilboy, PhD, RN is an Associate Professor of Nutrition at West Chester University in West Chester, PA. She is also a licensed registered dietitian in the state of Pennsylvania.

Stacie Metz, PhD, MSW is a Professor of Graduate Social Work at West Chester University in West Chester, PA. She is also a licensed social worker in the state of Pennsylvania.

Melissa Reed, PhD, ACSM CCE-P is an Associate Professor of Exercise Science at West Chester University in West Chester, PA. She is also a certified exercise physiologist.

Barbara Harrison, PhD, APRN, FGSA, is an Associate Professor of Nursing at West Chester University in West Chester, PA. She is also a licensed nurse practitioner in the state of Pennsylvania.

PhD, APRN, FGSA

DOI

10.46743/1540-580X/2017.1605

IPE MANUSCRIPT TABLES.docx (32 kB)
Corresponding Tables for Manuscript

IPE_FINAL_REVISEDv1.docx (44 kB)
Round 3 Final IPE manuscript

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