Integrating Perspectives: A Mixed-Methods Study of Interprofessional Education Experiences Among Speech-Language Pathology and Occupational Therapy Graduate Students

Purpose: Interprofessional education (IPE) is used to improve collaboration among health care professionals, but few studies have investigated the effectiveness of such experiences for speech-language pathology (SLP) and occupational therapy (OT) students. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the impact of an IPE experience involving SLP and OT graduate students during a standardized patient experience. Method: A mixed-methods approach was used to survey students before and after the experience, assessing changes in their knowledge and attitudes toward interprofessional collaborative practice (ICP). Likert scale and open-ended questions were used to assess changes in their knowledge and comfort with ICP. Results: Forty-nine participating students indicated positive changes in their knowledge and improved attitudes toward interprofessional collaboration after the experience. Conclusion: Although results suggest that IPE experiences can effectively prepare SLP and OT students for successful ICP, they underscore the need for tailored IPE experiences that address the specific needs of different health care professions.