Are you a healthcare practitioner looking to enhance your skills and provide better outcomes for your students? Recent research from the scoping review titled "Exploring experiential learning within interprofessional practice education initiatives for pre-licensure healthcare students" offers valuable insights on how to achieve this through experiential learning (EL) within interprofessional practice (IPP).
What the Research Says
The study mapped peer-reviewed literature describing IPP education initiatives involving EL for pre-licensure students in healthcare disciplines. The review found that while many initiatives used various teaching and learning strategies, few utilized a full EL cycle. The research identified several key findings that can help practitioners improve their skills and encourage further research.
Key Findings
- Use of Theories and Models: Only 43 out of 100 articles explicitly referred to using a theory, framework, or model to guide their approach in developing IPP education initiatives. Notably, Kolb’s Experiential Learning Theory (KELT) was cited in only two articles.
- Teaching and Learning Strategies: The review highlighted a variety of teaching and learning strategies employed, such as small interprofessional groups, team huddles, direct provision of care, and reflective activities. However, few initiatives utilized a full EL cycle.
- Evaluation of Outcomes: The evaluation of student learning outcomes, such as competency development and perceptions of interprofessional practice, was a common focus. Various tools and methods were used for evaluation, including questionnaires, interviews, and reflective journals.
Implementing These Findings
To improve your skills as a practitioner, consider the following steps based on the research findings:
1. Adopt Theoretical Frameworks
Utilize established theories and models like KELT to guide the design and implementation of your IPP education initiatives. This ensures a structured approach to experiential learning.
2. Employ Diverse Teaching Strategies
Incorporate a mix of teaching and learning strategies such as:
- Small interprofessional groups
- Team huddles
- Direct provision of care
- Reflective activities
These strategies help create a comprehensive learning experience for students.
3. Evaluate and Reflect
Use a variety of evaluation tools to assess student learning outcomes. Encourage students to engage in reflective activities to consolidate their learning and improve their competencies.
Encouraging Further Research
The research underscores the need for further development and evaluation of existing EL frameworks and models to support robust IPP educational initiatives. As a practitioner, you can contribute to this body of knowledge by:
- Conducting your own research and publishing findings
- Collaborating with academic institutions to develop and test new models
- Participating in professional development opportunities focused on EL and IPP
Conclusion
By adopting these evidence-based strategies, you can enhance your skills and contribute to better educational outcomes for your students. For more detailed insights and to explore the original research paper, please follow this link:
Exploring experiential learning within interprofessional practice education initiatives for pre-licensure healthcare students: a scoping review.
