Interprofessional education in a midwifery curriculum: the learning through the exploration of the professional task project (LEAPT).

OBJECTIVE

to develop interprofessional education for students of midwifery, nursing and medicine. To foster collaborative working and learning between students of midwifery, nursing and medicine.

DESIGN

a quasi-experimental method to evaluate the outcomes of an intervention (a problem-based learning (PBL) scenario) with interprofessional students and facilitators. Data were collected using pre- and post-test questionnaires.

SETTING

a University and National Health Service healthcare facilities in the North of England.

PARTICIPANTS

40 students of midwifery, nursing and medicine.

FINDINGS: student midwives participating in the PBL scenario in this interprofessional format improved their attitudes to working in this environment. All students enjoyed the opportunity to learn in an interprofessional team, and they felt that the experience provided a safe environment to help prepare for their future roles. The learning opportunity enabled all students to reflect on each other's role and to discuss differing perspectives of care, although the student midwives had mixed feelings about the PBL experience.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: interprofessional learning using PBL is a useful environment for students to learn about each others' role, and to prepare for working together as qualified professionals in a collaborative manner. However, time and commitment is required to plan joint working in order to maximise the benefits.