Interprofessional Education and Practice: Perspectives from Students in Speech-Language Pathology and Recreational Therapy

Abstract

Interprofessional education and practice (IPE/IPP) are important components for undergraduate and graduate students to experience during their programs of study in speech-language pathology and related health professions. The American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA) is a member organization of the Interprofessional Education Collaborative (IPEC) which promotes four core competencies required for effective practice: values/ethics, roles/responsibilities, interprofessional communication, and teams and teamwork. The purpose of this study was to gather the lived experiences from eight pre-professional students, four from speech-language pathology (SLP) and four from recreational therapy(RT), during focus groups and discussion forums conducted before, during, and after a 14-week IPE/IPP clinical experience. Students shared perspectives about providing collaborative therapy services as part of a team supporting adults with stroke or other acquired neurological conditions. Thematic analysis conducted from pre and post focus group transcripts revealed six primary themes: roles and responsibilities; interprofessional communication; collaborative teamwork; values and mutual respect; challenges to IPE/IPP; and benefits & impact of IPE/IPP. Students shared their clinical experiences engaging with students from SLP and RT, but also working with students from physical and occupational therapy. The qualitative data from this study provides important information to assist future students, educators, and clinical supervisors how to effectively access and engage in IPE/IPP learning experiences with a specific focus in the areas of teamwork, leadership, and conflict resolution.