Interprofessional Learning during an International Fieldwork Placement

Authors

  • J. Strong The University of Queensland
  • L. Chipchase The University of Queensland & University of Western Sydney
  • S. Allen The University of Queensland
  • D.S. Eley The University of Queensland
  • L. McAllister The University of Queensland & The University of Sydney
  • B. Davidson The University of Sydney & The University of Melbourne

Keywords:

intercultural communication, IPE, high impact learning, teamwork

Abstract

The need for competent interprofessional health care professionals is well recognised. Various educational activities have been developed to facilitate the development of interprofessional competence. In this paper we describe an interprofessional, fieldwork experience conducted in a developing country, and the learning gained by the first cohort of students who completed the five week immersion. Eight final year students from Medicine, Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy and Speech Pathology were interviewed pre- and post-placement by an independent researcher. The transcribed interviews were analysed thematically. Findings indicated that over the placement students gained an appreciation of the skills of the other disciplines and were able to move beyond a textbook definition of what a certain profession did to acquire a real understanding of interprofessional practice. However, students reported that this understanding was predicated on their first clarifying the extent to which they were working in a transdisciplinary or interdisciplinary team, and becoming more confident in their own disciplinary contribution without reliance on formal documentation or standardised assessments. Using daily team discussions, self-reflections and discussions with clinical educators, the students learned to prioritise their busy caseload, share resources and skills, and facilitate team members to achieve therapeutic goals. The interprofessional learning took place in an intercultural context where the students learned to work with children with severe disabilities, with staff with different classroom approaches, and with interpreters, while adjusting emotionally to the level of unmet need of many of the children. Based on the students' experiences, immersion in an intercultural fieldwork experience is a useful way to facilitate interprofessional learning.

Author Biography

J. Strong, The University of Queensland

Professor Jenny Strong, Division of Occupational Therapy, School of Health & Rehabilitation Sciences,
The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia 4072
Email: j.strong@uq.edu.au

References

Originally published by The Higher Education Academy

PBLH, Vol 2, Issue 2 (July 2014)

doi:10.11120/pblh.2014.00032

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Published

2016-02-05

How to Cite

Strong, J., Chipchase, L., Allen, S., Eley, D., McAllister, L., & Davidson, B. (2016). Interprofessional Learning during an International Fieldwork Placement. International Journal of Practice-Based Learning in Health and Social Care, 2(2), 27–39. Retrieved from https://publications.coventry.ac.uk/index.php/pblh/article/view/318