Readiness for Interprofessional Education Among Healthcare Professionals: A Cross Sectional Analysis at a Tertiary Care Hospital

Readiness for Interprofessional Education

Abstract

Introduction: Interprofessional education (IPE) is vital in enhancing association and teamwork between healthcare personnel, improving care of patients, and providing better healthcare outcomes. For designing effective educational programs, it is critical to understand the factors that influence readiness for IPE.

Objective: To identify the various aspects influencing readiness for interprofessional education among healthcare professionals at SIMS/Services Hospital Lahore.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study a predesigned, valid questionnaire was used and was disseminated via Google Forms. The study population included doctors, dentists, physiotherapists, dieticians and other allied health professionals recruited through purposive sampling. The questionnaire evaluated demographic characteristics, teamwork and collaboration, negative and positive professional identity, and roles and responsibilities. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 22, with results presented in terms of percentage and frequency, and ANOVA applied to identify significant differences among professions.

Results: The sample comprised 205 participants, with 75 males and 130 females. Physiotherapists scored highest in teamwork and collaboration (mean = 4.57), positive professional identity (mean = 4.57), and roles and responsibilities (mean = 4.09). Doctors showed higher negative professional identity scores (mean = 3.06), indicating a greater reluctance towards readiness for IPE.

Conclusion: This study signifies the varying degrees of readiness for IPE among healthcare personnel. Physiotherapists showed maximum readiness, while doctors were more reluctant. Well-designed IPE programs are required for addressing specific professional needs and attitudes for enhancing better interprofessional collaboration.