Preparing Health Care Students for Future Collaborative Working: Interprofessional Learning in Clinical Attachments

Being able to deliver safe, effective health care as part of a team is a key priority for both health care education and the National Health Service. Providing students with interprofessional learning opportunities will prepare students for future collaborative working (WHO, 2010). As a joint collaboration between the University of St Andrews, University of Dundee, the Fife Interprofessional Clinical Skills Model for Education (FICSME) was established to develop interprofessional learning opportunities for health professional students in their clinical attachments in NHS Fife.
To pilot the model, a number of interprofessional workshops were delivered within the students’ shared placements within primary care and operational division in NHS Fife. Students were invited to attend one of the workshops during their clinical attachments and following their participation, were asked to complete a questionnaire to evaluate the workshop.
Exploring the student experience helped to identify relevant learning activities which can prepare students for future effective teamwork. It also highlighted that interprofessional education provides the opportunity for students to develop an understanding of roles and responsibilities within the health care team.
A structured programme of IPE within students' clinical attachments provides accessible and relevant learning opportunities for students to prepare for future collaborative working.