Background

A fourth level of the interprofessional learning programme (IPL4) was piloted in May 2008, taking the form of a half-day, topic-based workshop focusing on health and social care issues related to alcoholism.  As with previous levels of IPL, the workshop was developed in collaboration with all stakeholders involved - in this case students, staff (academic and professionals) and service users (members of Alcoholics Anonymous).

After some introductory presentations to set the scene, students, professionals and service users worked together in small groups, shared stories and experiences, and discussed interprofessional issues specific to alcoholism.  The groups then came together in a final plenary session to present their main learning points.

Following this pilot, it was decided that the next workshop looking at alcohol should focus more broadly on alcohol abuse.

The IPL4 programme has been further developed to include workshops on domestic abuse, and on diabetes.
 

Approach

The purpose of IPL4 is to improve students' understanding of interprofessional health and social care issues relating to specific topics.

Attendance at the workshops is on a voluntary, first-come/first-served basis.  Final year students training in Medicine, Midwifery, Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Pharmacy, Physiotherapy, Speech and Language Therapy, Operating Department Practice, and Social Work are invited to register.

IPL4 encourages three-way learning between students, service users and professionals, such that students, service users and professionals learn with, from and about each other with the aim of improving patient/client care in the future.

Professionals and service users invited to each workshop are able to share their experiences of healthcare from different perspectives: as members of health and social care teams, and as patients/service users. 

Prior to attending the workshop, students are asked to reflect on either a personal or practice experience, or on some research or newspaper article relevant to the topic.  They are asked to think about how the issues involved relate to interprofessional teamworking so that they can contribute meaningfully to the small group discussion.

Each workshop opens with a short presentation by either the service user group involved (if appropriate) or by a specialist in the topic.  This is followed by a joint presentation by professionals, each giving an example of a case in which they cared for or supported a service user presenting with, for example, alcohol abuse issues.  Following these presentations, the students work in small, mixed-professional groups, accompanied by service users and professionals, and supported by a facilitator.  At the end of the workshop, each group gives a presentation summarising the discussions that have taken place in their group.
 
During the workshops students: 
 

• Listen to first-hand accounts of service users.
   
• Discuss the health and social care skills required to treat the particular service user group.
   
• Gain knowledge of organisations available to help service users, and how patients/service users can gain access these organisations.
   
• Have an informal question and answer opportunity with service users and professionals.

 

Evaluation

Students are asked to fill in the Attitudes to Health Professionals Questionnaire (AHPQ), which they may also have completed after previous levels of IPL at UEA.

All delegates are asked to complete a feedback form at the end of the workshop, which is reviewed and incorporated into the planning of future workshops.

 

Examples of feedback from previous workshops

Students

• "Brilliant layout giving an outline to the topic before going into more depth in small groups.”  
• “Good format.  Enjoyed listening to Healthcare Professionals and other speakers - enjoyed the personal experience and discussions.”
• "Thank you very much.  I do genuinely feel that I have learnt a lot about a condition I thought was relatively self-explanatory."
• "Very positive experience; will hugely affect my practice and my confidence when dealing with domestic violence."
• "Good.  The presentations were really informative and given by appropriate professionals.  It was good to then talk in small groups.  Having a survivor tell their story helped understanding."
• "Very useful session; able to explore experiences from a survivor's point of view; valuable for personal practice."

Service Users

• “I enjoyed the presentation and the format however it was obvious from the group work that there was insufficient time to discuss all matters.” 
• “Enjoyable to spread knowledge and education.” 
• “There needs to be more vocal involvement from the alcoholic – possibly a question and answer session so that the students obtain a more in-depth insight to the life and problem of the alcoholic.”
• "Exposure to information is the key."
• "The level of combined experience was great."

Professionals

• “Sound format allowed students to develop into the required group with self realisation of learning outcomes.”
• "Very interesting and felt safe - small groups made it possible for everyone to have the opportunity to speak/ask questions."
• "Anyone can become 'alcoholic'.  The AA and Al-Anon participants were brilliant in providing students with information and insights into alcoholism."
• "Well organised, gave all participants time to input into the sessions and ask questions."
• "Appropriate for the learning outcomes for students."
• "I learnt more about AA.  It made me consider other healthcare professionals for early interventions.  Some validation of beliefs of skills needed as healthcare professionals from recovering alcoholics."