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AN ACTION RESEARCH STUDY ON INTERPROFESSIONAL EDUCATION WITH NURSING AND MEDICAL STUDENTS IN GERMANY

Mueller-Froehlich, Christa

[Thesis]. Manchester, UK: The University of Manchester; 2017.

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Abstract

ABSTRACTBackground: In Germany, the process of moving pre-registration nursing education into higher education within a faculty of medicine has differed from developments at universities of applied sciences. This is because such a process implies radical change for the status of and relationship between nurses and physicians. Literature review: The body of knowledge on interprofessional undergraduate education of nursing and medical students, including work on the nurse-physician relationship and collaborative practices of nurses and physicians, provides the foundation of this research. Aim: The primary aim has been to involve the active participation of educational practitioners of the nursing and medical professions concerned in working towards a collaborative culture, including interprofessional undergraduate education for nursing and medical students.Methodology and methods: A participatory paradigm position guided this research, using cooperative inquiry as one approach in action research. The inquiry group decided on the methods to be used for the inquiry and planned, acted out, and reflected on eight interprofessional educational sessions in three cycles over a process of two years. Data from inquiry group members’ experiences were audiotaped during this process and analysed with a focus on experiential and propositional knowledge development. Inquiry group members gained feedback from nursing and medical students after their interprofessional sessions in eight group discussions. Framework analysis of qualitative data was used to guide data analysis. In addition, students had the option to provide feedback by completing a questionnaire to evaluate the sessions. For the analysis of the questionnaire data descriptive statistics was used.Findings: The 3P model (presage, process, product) was used as a meta-structure for the IPE_NUMESO model to guide further classroom teaching of nursing and medical students. It was found that undergraduate education of nursing and medical students is a complex social process accompanied by mixed emotions and a strong desire to overcome the separation of both professions. Discussion: The research adds new insight into IPE for undergraduate nursing and medical students: emotions, values, and a problematic reality in which both groups of professionals work together (presage), role change in simulation, the asset of a safe learning environment, peer learning, and strategies to overcome the separation (process). Certain experiences are proposed to be worthwhile (product), such as being able to understand the essence of clinical situations and deal with issues like emotions, values, knowledge and its communication, clinical experience, and power. Social learning theory provided a suitable explanatory approach for the findings. Conclusion and recommendations: This research adds to the knowledge on interprofessional education for undergraduate education for nursing and medical students. Considering IPE as a complex social process offers promising potential to transform future collaborative practices by preparing students for a complex and dynamic collaboration of both professions at the patient’s bedside. Recommendations for clinical practice, interprofessional education, and policy are presented.