Interprofessional health education in Australia: three research projects informing curriculum renewal and development

Carole Steketee; Dawn Forman; Roger Dunston; Tagrid Yassine; Lynda R Matthews; Rosemary Saunders; Pam Nicol; Selma Alliex

doi:10.1016/j.apnr.2014.03.002

Interprofessional health education in Australia: three research projects informing curriculum renewal and development

Appl Nurs Res. 2014 May;27(2):115-20. doi: 10.1016/j.apnr.2014.03.002. Epub 2014 Mar 26.

Authors

Carole Steketee¹, Dawn Forman², Roger Dunston³, Tagrid Yassine⁴, Lynda R Matthews⁵, Rosemary Saunders⁶, Pam Nicol⁷, Selma Alliex⁸

Affiliations

¹ School of Medicine Fremantle, The University of Notre Dame Australia, Fremantle, 6959, Australia. Electronic address: carole.steketee@nd.edu.au.
² Adjunct Professor Curtin University and Auckland University of Technology, Visiting Professor University of Derby and Chichester University. Electronic address: Dawn@ilmd.biz.
³ Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, University of Technology, Sydney, 2007, Australia. Electronic address: Roger.Dunston@uts.edu.au.
⁴ Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, University of Technology, Sydney, 2007, Australia. Electronic address: tagrid.yassine@student.uts.edu.au.
⁵ Ageing, Work and Health Research Unit, Faculty of Health Sciences, The University of Sydney, Sydney, 2006, Australia. Electronic address: lynda.matthews@sydney.edu.au.
⁶ School of Population Health, University of Western Australia, The University of Western Australia, Perth, 6009, Australia. Electronic address: rosemary.saunders@uwa.edu.au.
⁷ School of Paediatrics and Child Health, The University of Western Australia, Perth, 6009, Australia. Electronic address: pam.nicol@uwa.edu.au.
⁸ School of Nursing and Midwifery, The University of Notre Dame Australia, Fremantle, 6959, Australia. Electronic address: Selma.Alliex@nd.edu.au.

PMID: 24792131
DOI: 10.1016/j.apnr.2014.03.002

Abstract

Purpose: This paper reports on three interrelated Australian studies that provide a nationally coherent and evidence-informed approach to interprofessional education (IPE). Based on findings from previous studies that IPE tends to be marginalized in mainstream health curriculum, the three studies aspired to produce a range of resources that would guide the sustainable implementation of IPE across the Australian higher education sector.

Method: Nine national universities, two peak industry bodies and a non-government organization constituted the study team. Data were gathered via a mixture of stakeholder consultations, surveys and interviews and analyzed using quantitative and qualitative methods.

Results & conclusion: An important outcome was a curriculum renewal framework which has been used to explore the implications of the study's findings on Australian nursing. While the findings are pertinent to all health professions, nursing is well placed to take a leading role in establishing IPE as a central element of health professional education.

Keywords: Australia; Collaboration; Curriculum development; Nursing; Teamwork.

Publication types

Multicenter Study
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Australia
Cooperative Behavior
Curriculum*
Education, Nursing / organization & administration*
Health Education* / standards
Humans
Interprofessional Relations*
Patient Care Team / standards
Professional Competence / standards