Confident, Credible but Lonely – Outcomes Following Postgraduate Interprofessional Education in Rehabilitation

Authors

  • Rebecca Grainger University Of Otago Wellington
  • Pauline Boland
  • William Levack

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.22230/jripe.2014v4n2a163

Keywords:

Interprofessional education, Postgraduate qualifications, Continuing professional development

Abstract

Background: Interprofessional education aims to enhance health service delivery. This study examined whether health professionals changed their clinical practice after completing a postgraduate interprofessional qualification in rehabilitation.

Methods & Findings: All graduates of postgraduate qualifications in rehabilitation at University of Otago were invited to complete a questionnaire. Thirteen participants were purposively selected for further in-depth interviews. Questionnaire data were summarized using descriptive statistics. Qualitative responses from questionnaires and interview transcripts were explored using thematic analysis. The survey response rate was 24% (77/315 students). Postgraduate study was reported to have had a positive impact on professional attitudes and commitment to learning (81%), to enhance interdisciplinary collaboration (79%), and to promote change in service delivery (40%). Themes identified from questionnaire responses were: 1) increased confidence, 2) enhanced credibility, and 3) widened view of rehabilitation. Analysis of the interviews identified three contrasting themes: 1) isolation hampers momentum, 2) managers and clinical leaders do not value postgraduate qualifications, 3) implementing change required postgraduate study plus persistence.

Conclusions: Educators and employers of health professionals should be aware of the benefits of postgraduate interprofessional education for health professionals and healthcare delivery. Employers should recognize and value these benefits and support health professionals to apply new skills in their clinical practice.

Author Biography

Rebecca Grainger, University Of Otago Wellington

Rebecca is a Rheumatologist with clinical interests are broad and include inflammatory arthritis, gout and scleroderma. To date her research has focused on gout, including both translational research and outcome measures in gout. She teaches postgraduate papers in Musculoskeletal and Cardiac and Pulmonary Rehabilitation at the University of Otago.  

Downloads

Published

2014-09-16

Issue

Vol. 4 No. 2 (2014)

Section

Articles: Empirical Research

License

JRIPE publishes original research in Interprofessional Practice and Education. It allows authors to maintain copyright in exchange for a limited term exclusive license to make the article publicly available; followed by a permanent non-exclusive licence to continue making the article available to users; and the right to make the article available through databases. It asks for 50 percent of any commercial fees payable for usage. Authors may, at any time, archive the work on their own site or that of their institution. Authors must indemnify the journal against damage; obtain any necessary permissions; and attest to the article’s originality and legitimate legal status.

Users have the right to read, download, copy, distribute with the acknowledgement that this aricle was first published by the Journal of Interprofessional Practice and Education, print, search, or link to the full texts of the articles in this journal.