Baseline data of a longitudinal assessment of a Bachelor of Science in Health Science (BSHS) Program based on the core competencies for Interprofessional Collaborative Practice (IPCP)

Background:

IPCP has been identified as essential to provide quality healthcare: so, IPE is being integrated to professional programs. While IPE is being researched in professional programs, not much is known about IPE at the pre-professional level.

Purpose:

Stockton’s BSHS program was built based upon the Core Competencies for IPCP. The current study assessed the following IPE-related constructs: Health Science Reasoning, Ethical Decision Making for Health, Attitude Towards Health Care Teams, and Readiness for IP Learning.

Description:

A cohort of students was recruited during the introductory course to the program. The following measures were administered at baseline: Health Science Reasoning Test (HSRT), Ethical Decision Making (EDM) Measure for Health Science, The Attitudes Toward Health Care Teams Scale (ATHCTS), Readiness for Interprofessional Learning (RIPLS) and demographic questions.

Results:

A cohort (N = 483) of students was recruited; N = 464 participated of the baseline. Results of main measures are: HSRT (M = 17.2, SD = 4.7), EDM (M = 2.18, SD = 0.20), ATHCTS (M = 4.1, SD = 0.47), RIPLS (M = 3.68, SD = 0.91). Results for subscales and demographic data will be included in the presentation.

Conclusions:

Results from EDM, ATHCTS and RIPLS suggest undergraduate pre-professional students’ Ethicality is at expected levels, they have positive attitudes toward healthcare teams and are prepared to receive IPE. However, the sample performed significantly below the expected level of critical thinking.

Relevance:

This suggests that students in an undergraduate health science program can receive interprofessional education, at least at the attitudinal and awareness level. IPE at this level can effectively foster positive attitudes towards working interprofessionally.