Interprofessional education: Reviewing the evidence

Authors: Ireland, J., Gibb, S. and West, B.

Journal: British Journal of Midwifery

Volume: 16

Issue: 7

Pages: 446-453

ISSN: 0969-4900

DOI: 10.12968/bjom.2008.16.7.30462

Abstract:

The objective of this review of recent literature was to assess the evidence on the efficacy of skills based interprofessional education (IPE) for post-qualifying health care professionals involved in maternity care in the UK. A systematic literature review of relevant UK based papers was conducted using an a-priori search strategy. Agreement on final inclusion was reached by consensus across the team. The findings were scored and described narratively and thematically. Of 225 studies identified, seventeen fitted the inclusion criteria. The papers included in this review varied in design, quality and focus. This is reflected in the scoring and coding system adopted. After scoring, four papers were considered to be of a higher order, and are described in more detail. It is evident from the review of the literature that evaluations of IPE programmes are often positive but it is not clear to what extent the interprofessional nature of the programme affects the outcomes.

Source: Scopus