Students' Views on Teamwork in Medical Training

Healthcare is changing rapidly, which has highlighted the need for something called interprofessional education (IPE). While many people see the value of IPE, it’s not used everywhere and there’s debate about when and how to use it. A study at Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland - Bahrain (RCSI Bahrain) explored what medical and nursing students think about IPE. They looked into students' feelings, what they expect, their viewpoints, and their experiences with IPE. What is IPE? It's when different medical professions learn together. Think of it like a team where doctors, nurses, and other healthcare workers practice working as a team before they enter the real world. This can improve how they communicate and work together, which is crucial in healthcare. The study found that students had mixed feelings about IPE. Some found it really helpful, while others weren't sure if it made a big difference. They also had different ideas about when and how IPE should be used. Some students thought it should start early in their training, while others believed it should happen later. This diversity in opinions shows that there's no one-size-fits-all approach to IPE. What works for one student might not work for another. It's important to consider these different viewpoints when planning IPE programs. In conclusion, IPE is a hot topic in healthcare education. While it has its benefits, figuring out the best way to use it is still a work in progress. Understanding what students think can help shape future IPE programs.