Health Sciences Program Student Theses, Dissertations and Capstones

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Health Science

Copyright Statement

All rights reserved. This publication is intended for use solely by faculty, students, and staff of Nova Southeastern University. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, now known or later developed, including but not limited to photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the author or the publisher.

Department

College of Health Care Sciences – Health Science Department

First Advisor

Sarah Ransdell

Publication Date / Copyright Date

2017

Publisher

Nova Southeastern University

Abstract

Research has shown a strong correlation between oral and systemic disease; therefore, there is an increased need for collaboration between dental and medical professionals. The purpose of this study was to examine the current opportunities that exist for interprofessional education (IPE) at Nova Southeastern University (NSU), the perceived need for IPE for dental and health science/nursing students, the perceived advantages of an IPE program, the features that should be included in an IPE program, and the perceived administrative and financial barriers to increased interprofessional activities. This study surveyed graduate faculty and staff from NSU’s College of Health Care Sciences, College of Dental Medicine, and College of Nursing regarding their views on IPE. The study used the Health Professions IPE Survey. Responses were factor analyzed, which revealed two dimensions: Positive IPE Perception and NSU IPE. There was an overwhelmingly positive response to IPE for dental, health science, and nursing students as evidenced by component one (Positive IPE Perception); however, there was a more negative perception about IPE at NSU as evidenced by component two (NSU IPE), possibly due to financial and administrative considerations. Factor analysis of this data legitimizes the need for future survey development. Future research should examine enablers for IPE by eliciting faculty feedback. Faculty reluctance to engage in IPE activities can be addressed by designing faculty development programs based on Adult Learning Theory (ALT) concepts. Future IPE program development will need to include adequate institutional support, funding, faculty development, and faculty involvement in planning.

Disciplines

Other Medicine and Health Sciences

Keywords

Health and environmental sciences, Dentistry, Health sciences, Interprofessional education

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