Social learning, shared accommodation and interprofessional education: I think those conversations that you have at the dinner table …

Abstract

Background Little is known about the impact of social or informal learning and whether or not this influences the outcomes of formal IPE learning. Purpose This study explored if and what students on a rural immersion IPE programme report regarding shared living arrangements. Method Independently gathered qualitative survey and focus group data with descriptive interpretive analysis. Results A qualitative survey question querying the most valuable aspects of the programme found many students highlighted the value of shared accommodation. There were five themes in the focus group data: Having fun together (yet learning); Formal learning through informal social interaction; Learning conflict resolution skills; It only goes so far: limitations to shared living arrangements; Not all living together has a negative impact. Discussion While only feasible in some IPE programmes, living together in shared accommodation appears to have a powerful impact on student learning and augments the formal IPE components.