International Journal of Health Professions Feed

Commanding an assistive robotic arm in activities of daily living. Turning users into partners: Co-designing a robotic arm command system / Steuerung eines Assistenzroboterarms bei Aktivitäten des täglichen Lebens. Nutzer:innen zu Partner:innen machen: Gemeinsame Entwicklung eines Steuerungssystems für Roboterarme

Wed, 31 Dec 2025 00:00:00 GMT

BackgroundAssistive robotic systems hold strong potential to improve autonomy and quality of life (QoL) for individuals with tetraplegia by supporting activities of daily living (ADLs). This project focused on developing a user-centered command structure and graphical user interface (GUI) for a robotic arm tailored to this population. Key goals included maximizing usability, managing robotic control states effectively, and enabling intuitive interaction and semi-automated task execution. The study was guided by three key research questions addressing how user needs can be effectively incorporated into control-structure design, which interface elements most enhance usability for individuals with tetraplegia, and how robotic control states can be managed to ensure safe and reliable everyday operation. MethodsA mixed-methods approach was used, incorporating surveys, interviews, and observations to identify user needs. These insights informed iterative prototyping of a custom GUI and command system based on a Finite State Machine (FSM) architecture. The design emphasized adaptability, clarity, and control reliability, with user feedback guiding ongoing refinements. ResultsSystem evaluation through user testing and System Usability Scale assessments indicated high satisfaction. Users especially valued the intuitive GUI layout, task-specific control modes, and semi-automated functions, which improved task efficiency while maintaining user agency. ConclusionThis study presents a validated framework for designing assistive robotic systems for individuals with severe motor impairments. The integration of user-centered design principles and FSM-based control supports both functionality and accessibility. Future work should explore real-world deployment, increased task automation, and integration with alternative input methods to enhance usability and clinical relevance.

Tasks and activities of community mental health nurses: integrative review and thematic analysis / Aufgaben und Tätigkeiten der ambulanten psychiatrischen Pflege: Integratives Review und thematische Analyse

Wed, 31 Dec 2025 00:00:00 GMT

IntroductionThe community setting represents a key environment for the provision of mental health care. Community mental health nurses (CMHNs) play a vital role in delivering person-centered care in outpatient settings. But they are not only essential providers of care; they are also key actors in coordinating and integrating support across fragmented systems. Despite this, the specific tasks and contributions of CMHNs — particularly those in advanced practice roles — remain insufficiently defined in the literature. AimTo synthesize and thematically analyze international research on the tasks and activities of CMHNs, including those attributed to advanced practice nurses (APNs). MethodsAn integrative review was conducted using systematic searches in PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Google Scholar, and selected publisher databases. Studies published between 2008 and 2024 in English or German were included. Thematic analysis followed Braun and Clarke's six-step approach. The review adheres to ENTREQ guidelines and is registered with the Open Science Framework. ResultsThirty-seven studies were included. CMHNs perform a wide range of tasks across seven domains: direct care, care coordination, health promotion, education, leadership, management, and research. APNs were particularly active in leadership and service development. However, distinctions between generalist and advanced roles were often unclear. ConclusionCMHNs provide complex, person-centered care across diverse settings and contribute to integrated, interprofessional mental health care. APNs contribute additional system-level competencies. The findings support educators, policymakers, and workforce planners in understanding current nursing practices and identifying development needs, especially in countries where community mental health nursing and advanced practice roles are not yet widely established.

Interprofessional development of virtual patient cases: experiences and lessons learned – a qualitative study / Entwicklung interprofessionller virtueller Patient:innenfälle: Erfahrungen und lessons learned – eine qualitative Studie

Wed, 31 Dec 2025 00:00:00 GMT

Question/objectiveExpertise from multiple professions is often required to solve complex problems in healthcare. This requires interprofessional clinical decision-making processes, which should be learned during training. Interprofessional digital patient cases offer the opportunity to train clinical reasoning. As part of the HEDS project at Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, interprofessional virtual patient cases were developed by interprofessional case development teams. The aim of the study was to document the findings and experiences of the case developers to inform future interprofessional case development. MethodsSeven individual interviews with case developers from different professions were conducted and qualitatively analyzed (Kuckartz & Rädiker 2022). The case developers were asked about their experiences in interprofessional case development using a semi-structured interview guide. ResultsThe findings offer insights into personal experiences as well as lessons learned regarding content, structure and collaboration during the development of interprofessional virtual patient cases. Although interprofessional case development is described as laborious and time-consuming, the overall conclusion is positive. The personal knowledge gain and added value in terms of content are summarized as worthwhile. DiscussionGiven the need to strengthen interprofessional education and digital transformation in healthcare, technology-supported learning in an interprofessional context is essential. Preparing students for collaborative and digital healthcare during their education is a crucial goal for the future. Recommendations from this study may be support future developments of interprofessional virtual patient cases in interprofessional education.

Virtual reality to promote road safety in older adults: Evaluation of a training-based preventive approach / Virtuelle Realität zur Förderung der Verkehrssicherheit bei älteren Erwachsenen: Evaluation eines trai-ningsbasierten präventiven Ansatzes

Sun, 14 Dec 2025 00:00:00 GMT

BackgroundDemographic change is increasing the proportion of older individuals in society, which also heightens the risk of accidents, particularly in road traffic. Virtual reality (VR) applications offer innovative opportunities to promote mobility, safety, and accident prevention among older adults through engaging and safe training environments. ObjectiveThis study examined the effects of a VR-based training program (Wegfest) on functional mobility, subjective safety, and accident prevention in older adults. It also explored connections to the digital transformation in health professions education and practice. MethodsIn a VR intervention study, older adults completed eight training sessions in a simulated traffic environment. Assessments included the Timed Up and Go Test (mobility), the Falls Efficacy Scale – International (FES-I), the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), subjective sense of safety, and the number of collisions in the VR setting. Pre-post comparisons were analyzed using Wilcoxon signed-rank tests. ResultsThe training led to significant improvements in mobility (p = .002; d = 0.784) and a reduction in fear of falling (p = .005). Subjective safety increased significantly (p < .001), while collision frequency decreased (p < .001). Cognitive performance remained stable (p = .56). These results indicate that VR training can enhance both objective and subjective aspects of accident prevention. ConclusionVR-based training represents a promising tool to support mobility and safety in older adults. In the context of digital transformation, programs like Wegfest offer valuable potential for patient-centered care and professional training, while also fostering digital literacy among healthcare professionals and older users.

Interdisciplinary education in undergraduate health programs: A scoping review / Interdisziplinäre Ausbildung in den Gesundheitsberufen. Ein Scoping Review.

Tue, 18 Nov 2025 00:00:00 GMT

Background Patients rely on multiple healthcare providers working cohesively as a team. However, learners in health-related disciplines are typically trained in isolation from one another. While some literature has explored how collaborative learning at the graduate level, undergraduate health programs are often not included in this discourse. Objectives This study aims to identify literature detailing collaborative, or interdisciplinary education (IDE), initiatives, attitudes, and interventions in undergraduate health-related programs. Methods The Arksey and O’Malley scoping review methodological framework was followed. A search was conducted (December 2023) using CINAHL, Embase, ERIC, Ovid MEDLINE, PsychInfo, and Web of Science. Studies were included if they involved two or more disciplines (at least one health-related) and/or post-secondary undergraduate learners, and if they were related to education. Studies were excluded if they discussed learners outside direct-entry undergraduate programs, were studies on working health professionals, or did not focus on IDE. Using the Donabedian model, results were synthesized into IDE structure, process, and outcomes. Results Thirty-five studies met the inclusion criteria. Micro, meso, and macro structures were found to facilitate or pose barriers to IDE. Regarding process, there were various disciplines, intervention types, durations, and teaching modalities. Positive outcomes included student knowledge, skills, attitudes and beliefs, and behaviors. Challenges included lack of support and difficulties with resources and logistics, learning activities, student group dynamics, and attitudes and beliefs. Studies offered recommendations for IDE. Our analysis revealed gaps in the literature concerning reporting of IDE process and outcomes. Conclusions We make recommendations for education researchers, educational developers, and policymakers regarding the design, implementation, evaluation, and reporting of IDE.

Digital competencies in the bachelor‘s degree in physiotherapy — a mixed methods study in Austria / Digitale Kompetenzen im Bachelor-Studium der Physiotherapie — eine Mixed-Methods-Studie in Österreich

Mon, 10 Nov 2025 00:00:00 GMT

Background The Austrian eHealth Strategy’s operational objective O8.1 stipulates that digital skills are established in the training and continuing education of healthcare providers by 2030. This study examined the extent to which digital skills are embedded in the curricula of bachelor’s degree programs in physiotherapy. Methods For this cross-sectional study, we conducted guided individual interviews and a focus group with 14 program directors, students, and experienced physiotherapists to determine the required digital competencies for physiotherapy graduates to utilise all forms of digitalisation in public healthcare, and which of these digital skills are currently being taught. Quantitative and qualitative data were analysed descriptively and, artificial intelligence (AI)-assisted, thematically. Results Three key digital competency themes emerged: professionalism with digital health data and information systems, assessment and empowerment of patients’ digital health literacy, and development of professional digital health literacy. Digital skills are considered relevant and are primarily taught implicitly. Ethics and law are taught explicitly. Gaps exist regarding the use and analysis of new technologies, including AI skills. Ability to reflect on digital health information for quality-assured, professional actions and patient-centered communication is essential. Graduates can contribute to driving innovation and digitalisation in professional practice. Discussion The results demonstrate that digital competencies go beyond technical operating skills. Professional digital health literacy is a key qualification and thus integral component of professional physiotherapy training. Systematic, curricular teaching enables evidence-based and responsible physiotherapy. Future developments should address best practices for data protection, cybersecurity, new technologies including AI, and supporting patients’ digital health literacy.

The role of theories and models in implementation science: An example of application in neurorehabilitation / Die Rolle von Theorien und Modellen in der Implementierungsforschung: ein Anwendungsbeispiel aus der Neurorehabilitation

Wed, 13 Aug 2025 00:00:00 GMT

Implementation science investigates how scientific knowledge can be effectively and sustainably translated into practice. A variety of models, theories and frameworks provide structured and theoretically grounded approaches for planning, executing and evaluating implementation efforts. The need for theory-driven implementation research is also evident in health professions within German-speaking countries. Within physical therapy in Germany, particularly in the field of neurological rehabilitation, gaps between theoretical knowledge and practical applications in routine care have been identified; for example, the limited use of standardized assessments. Despite recommendations from national and international guidelines, assessments are still under-utilized in neurological physical therapy. Implementation science, therefore, may play a critical role in bridging the knowledge-to-practice gap in physical therapy in Germany. This article describes the design of the research project AssessMobility, a multi-center, multi-method implementation study with eleven sites within a healthcare organization using the physical therapy profession as an example. The purpose of AssessMobility is the development, implementation and evaluation of a knowledge transfer intervention aimed at integrating standardized assessments for measuring balance and mobility into routine care of neurological departments in a cross-setting approach. AssessMobility is conceptualized as a collaborative project with clinical partners and based on the Knowledge-to-Action (KTA) cycle, an established process model for translating knowledge into practice. Additional models, theories and frameworks, such as the Theoretical Domains Framework, are applied within the KTA cycle. We outline the project phases using the KTA cycle and provide methodological considerations for the application of specific models, theories, and frameworks.

Influenza vaccine hesitancy and acceptance among healthcare workers: A qualitative study in Amsterdam, the Netherlands / Grippeimpfung: Skepsis und Akzeptanz bei Gesundheitsfachkräften. Eine qualitative Studie aus Amsterdam, Niederlande

Wed, 13 Aug 2025 00:00:00 GMT

Background/objectiveAnnual influenza vaccination is recommended for all healthcare workers because of their increased risk of nosocomial infections. Despite the recognized benefits, there is public concern about vaccination against many diseases, often termed vaccine hesitancy. As a result, influenza vaccination coverage in all European countries, including the Netherlands, is below the 75% recommended by the WHO and the European Union, which poses a threat to public health. With this in mind, this study aimed to gain insights into influenza vaccine uptake among healthcare workers of a university hospital in Amsterdam. MethodsEighteen semi-structured interviews were conducted with healthcare workers of the Amsterdam UMC with an average duration of 30 minutes. The transcripts were coded and analyzed based on the 5C vaccine hesitancy model. ResultsHalf of the participants reported a low risk perception regarding influenza. Furthermore, non-pharmaceutical measures were more frequently mentioned than influenza vaccination, indicating that many do not see vaccination as essential. Although all participants were aware of occupational transmission and recognized the indirect protection vaccination provides for patients, they were less aware of asymptomatic transmission. Additionally, the limited availability of dates, timeslots and the need for appointments hindered participants' access to vaccination. ConclusionThis study provides insights into the perceptions of influenza vaccination among healthcare workers, identifying key barriers and facilitators to uptake. To increase influenza vaccination coverage, hospitals can focus on improving information provision and reducing barriers to accessing vaccines.

Student-Initiated Interprofessional Case Discussions: Improving Students’ Perception of Interprofessional Education and Collaborative Practice / Studierenden-initiierte Interprofessionelle Fallbesprechungen: Verbesserung der studentischen Wahrnehmung von interprofessioneller Ausbildung und Zusammenarbeit

Sat, 26 Jul 2025 00:00:00 GMT

Introduction & Background Opportunities for interprofessional education (IPE) remain insufficient for healthcare students and young professionals. To address this, the Swiss Health Alliance for Interprofessional Education (SHAPED, www.shaped-ip.ch) has developed a new IPE activity: the Interprofessional Case Discussions (ICDs). Led by a near-peer facilitator, students from different healthcare professions discuss a clinical case in a “murder-mystery” format: Can they catch the murderer (aka the disease) in time to save the patient? This study assessed the impact of the student-initiated ICDs on participants’ IPE perception. Methods Students from nursing, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, midwifery, pharmacy, and medicine in interprofessional groups (6–8 students) participated in an ICD at Zurich University of Applied Sciences in spring 2024. The validated Student Perceptions of Interprofessional Clinical Education–Revised (SPICE-R) self-report instrument was used in a pre-post-design. Results In total, 33 participants completed the pre- and post-questionnaire. The overall mean significantly improved from pre- (M = 3.86, SD ± 0.39) to post-ICD ((M = 4.22, SD ± 0.42); paired t-test: t = −5.18, p < .001, n = 33). The calculated effect size (d = 0.88) indicated a strong effect, according to Cohen (1992). After Bonferroni-adjustment for multiple testing, the two subscales teamwork and patient outcome showed statistically significant improvement pre- to post-ICD. Discussion Students showed high baseline scores, indicating a positive attitude toward IPE. However, participation in the ICDs further improved their perception of IPE, especially with regard to teamwork and patient outcome. While having limitations that come with a small sample-size, this study supports the efficacy of ICDs and reinforces the benefits of student-initiated IPE activities.

Collaborative working between speech and language therapists and rehabilitation assistants: An exploratory qualitative study in an interprofessional Community Stroke Team in Northern Ireland/United Kingdom / Zusammenarbeit von Logopäd:innen und Rehabilitationsassistent*innen: Eine explorativ-qualitative Studie in einem interprofessionellen Community Stroke Team in Nordirland/Vereinigtes Königreich

Sat, 26 Jul 2025 00:00:00 GMT

Background A demographic shift in the UK population has significantly changed the burden of disease. Coupled with staff shortages in allied health professions within the National Health Service, the introduction of assistant roles aimed at freeing up qualified therapists has modernised the professions and challenged traditional practices. Methods To understand the lived experiences of speech and language therapists in a Community Stroke Team in Northern Ireland who work with rehabilitation assistants, an exploratory qualitative study design was chosen, conducting semi-structured interviews with three participants. Results Participants valued the role of rehabilitation assistants as it allows for a higher frequency of therapy for stroke patients, appreciating their holistic approach to home rehabilitation. However, they described the planning process for assistant-led therapy sessions as time-consuming and challenging due to the diverse needs of clients, as well as logistical and geographical considerations. Interviewees supported the expansion of support staff roles and endeavored to assist rehabilitation assistants in improving retention, recognizing the importance of these roles for both service users and the interprofessional team. Conclusion The study’s findings relate to home rehabilitation, addressing a complex clientele and questions regarding the provision of sufficient speech and language therapy input. These insights can enhance stroke care services in the UK, uncover new research avenues, and highlight opportunities for workforce modernisation in other European healthcare systems.

Sensitivity and Specificity of the Geriatric Bedside Swallowing Screen (GEBS): A Diagnostic Accuracy Pilot Study / Sensitivität und Spezifität des Geriatric Bedside Swallowing Screen (GEBS): Eine Diagnostische Pilotstudie

Sat, 19 Jul 2025 00:00:00 GMT

Purpose The projected increase in older adults in the EU to 28.5% by 2050 highlights the need for improved geriatric care. Oropharyngeal dysphagia is common in older adults; it is linked to frailty and neurodegenerative diseases, and can cause malnutrition, dehydration, and aspiration pneumonia. Though screening reduces pneumonia cases in stroke patients, it also risks overdiagnosis in geriatric patients due to age-related swallowing changes that are often misinterpreted by existing tools. Objectives To address this gap, the Geriatric Bedside Swallowing Screen (GEBS) was developed. The goal was to validate the GEBS against an objective instrumental assessment, the Flexible Endoscopic Evaluation of Swallowing (FEES). Methods Between November 2022 and June 2024, a total of 30 participants aged 75 years or more (mean age 79.13 SD ± 5.7) from an acute geriatric ward in Salzburg, Austria, were recruited for this prospective observational cohort study. Participants completed both GEBS and FEES within seven consecutive days, with the FEES investigators being blinded for the results of the GEBS. Results The GEBS demonstrated a sensitivity of 67% and a specificity of 83%, as well as positive and negative predictive values of 73% and 80%, respectively. There were no adverse effects. Conclusions The results indicate the GEBS’s potential as a promising dysphagia screening tool specifically for geriatric patients. Swallowing function should be assessed as part of geriatric assessments, as recommended by the guidelines of several societies.

Clinical skills and nursing management in community health nursing – A qualitative study / Klinische Skills und Pflegemanagement im Rahmen von Community Health Nursing – Eine qualitative Studie

Sat, 05 Jul 2025 00:00:00 GMT

BackgroundCommunity Health Nursing plays a crucial role in primary care across Europe, with each country adopting distinct approaches. In Austria, the increasing healthcare demands necessitate a reevaluation of Community Health Nurses (CHNs) competencies, skills, and roles. The current descriptions of these aspects for CHNs in Austria lack comprehensiveness, posing a challenge to effectively meet these demands. Objective: The aim of the present study is to explore the clinical skills, health management, and nursing management competencies among CHNs. MethodsA qualitative study was conducted using problem-centered interviews with experts from various healthcare and nursing sectors (n=15). In the study, both narrative and structured interviewing techniques were employed to explore the required competencies, skills, and roles of CHNs. ResultsFindings underscore the importance of clinical and healthcare management skills for CHNs. Key competencies highlighted include navigating healthcare systems, gatekeeping, and case management, which are vital for effective primary care. Discussions also covered the potential expansion of CHN roles to include prescribing and performing clinical tasks. ConclusionCHNs can be pivotal in Austria’s healthcare system, facilitating access to care, managing patient pathways, and possibly assuming extended responsibilities. Enhanced training and clearer role definitions are crucial for meeting future healthcare challenges.

Evaluation of an interprofessional lecture with speech-language therapy students and translation students / Evaluation einer interprofessionellen Lehrveranstaltungseinheit mit Studierenden der Logopädie und der Translation

Sat, 21 Jun 2025 00:00:00 GMT

IntroductionInterprofessional collaboration plays an important role within health professions and between health professions and other professions. The current concept of interprofessional collaboration considers the relationships between the professions and the patients' perspective. The collaboration between speech-language therapists and interpreters enables a patient-centered collaboration and equal communication. To prepare for interprofessional collaboration, interprofessional learning contents during professional training and education are essential. State of researchEspecially in the German-speaking area the scientific data on interprofessional collaboration between speech-language therapists and interpreters is limited. This collaboration has great significance, but speech-language therapists have insufficient training and little experience in interprofessional collaboration with interpreters. Research question Which challenges do speech-therapy students and translation students face in the collaboration with the other profession? Did the speech-therapy students categorize the didactic concept of the interprofessional unit with the translation students as useful? Which new aspects could teach and deepen this didactic concept? Methods12 students (5 speech-therapy students and 7 translation students) participated in an interprofessional teaching unit. The latter was evaluated by means of 2 focus group discussions and 1 online survey evaluated. ResultsThe speech-language therapy students stated challenges like length of their speech units or uncertainty regarding the accuracy of the translation. They found this interprofessional lecture useful and expanded their knowledge of the interpreters' job description and deepened their interviewing and therapeutic preparation skills.

The influence of couple relationships on neurorehabilitation: Development of a practice-oriented concept based on empirical and theoretical foundations / Einfluss von Paarbeziehungen auf die Neurorehabilitation: Entwicklung eines praxisorientierten Konzepts auf empirisch-theoretischer Grundlage

Wed, 07 May 2025 00:00:00 GMT

BackgroundCouple relationships of patients and relatives play a central, insufficiently recognised role in neurorehabilitation. The challenge lies in the systematic recording and utilisation of psychosocial couple dynamics in the course of therapy. This paper proposes a theory-based, practice-oriented conceptualisation for dealing with different types of couple relationships. This helps health professionals to recognise relationship dynamics and develop therapeutic strategies to address couples' psychosocial needs and thereby promote therapeutic success. MethodsIn an underlying study, 15 biographical-narrative couple interviews were analysed using the documentary method in order to identify couple relationship types and their influence on the rehabilitation process. The combination of empirical data with theoretical models, such as the triangular model and the couple relationship model, enables a differentiated analysis of relationship dynamics. ResultsThe analysis shows that every couple is characterised by individual life stories and communicative patterns. These influence both the relationship and the effect of therapeutic measures. Professionals can recognise these dynamics and adapt the therapy to the needs of the couple. Different relationship types can be identified: Maintainers prefer a stable, habitual relationship that builds on the familiar. Transformers are open to change and are constantly developing their relationship. Disengagers experience alienation and distance in the couple relationship. Targeted therapeutic strategies can be developed for these types to utilise the relationship as a resource in the rehabilitation process. ConclusionsThis study shows that the combination of theory, empiricism and practice provides a sound basis for the development of individualised therapeutic concepts. The strategies derived can improve rehabilitation outcomes and enhance the quality of life of those affected. Continuous evaluation and further development of these approaches are necessary in order to further optimise their effectiveness.

Presenteeism and team culture: a qualitative study of health care and office professionals / Präsentismus und Teamkultur: eine qualitative Befragung von Gesundheit- und Bürofachpersonen

Mon, 05 May 2025 00:00:00 GMT

Introduction Presenteeism – working even though you are ill – is a widespread phenomenon that has negative consequences for both employees and employers. It particularly affects healthcare professionals (HCPs) and, due to working from home, increasingly also office professionals (OFPs). Team culture has hardly been researched in connection with presenteeism. The aims of this study are to describe how healthcare professionals and office professionals experience their team culture in connection with presenteeism and to identify possible differences between the occupational groups. Method The study is based on a qualitative descriptive design. Data was collected using 16 semi-structured guided interviews, which were analysed using qualitative content analysis according to Kuckartz. Results Both HCP and OFP consider physical complaints to be central features of their understanding of illness, with HCP more frequently emphasising the effects on work performance. When dealing with sickness absences, healthcare professionals increasingly report additional team stress and reproachful reactions from superiors, while healthcare professionals tend to perceive a lack of interest. Both professional groups see presenteeism as problematic, but differ in their expectations of work performance and stamina. HCPs are under greater pressure due to a sense of duty and responsibility towards patients, while NFPs are more likely to be influenced by organisational structures such as working from home, which often causes them difficulties in differentiating between work and sick leave. Discussion The results show that the team cultures of HCP and OFP are shaped by individual feelings of illness and organisational structures. There is a particular need for action within the organisation to raise awareness of presenteeism and to develop a common team attitude. Further research is needed to understand the reasons why the causes of illness are accepted differently.

People with Chronic Pain in Switzerland: Patients’ and Health Professionals’ Perspective on Potentials of Outpatient Health Care / Menschen mit chronischen Schmerzen in der Schweiz: Perspektive von Patient:innen und Gesundheitsfachkräften zu Potenzialen der ambulanten Gesundheitsversorgung

Fri, 18 Apr 2025 00:00:00 GMT

Introduction Chronic pain is a complex social and health challenge, as it represents a life-changing burden. In outpatient healthcare, where clear structures and guidelines for interprofessional collaboration (IPC) are lacking, people with chronic pain (PWCP) and health professionals (HPs) encounter barriers. This study aims to identify the needs of PWCPs in the Swiss outpatient healthcare system and to compare these needs with the views of HPs. Method The study employed a two-phase qualitative research design. Phase one was a secondary analysis of seven narrative semi-structured individual interviews with PWCPs, while phase two involved transcribing and inductively analyzing three individual interviews and three focus group discussions with HPs. Results Inhibiting and promoting factors were categorized into five themes at the individual, social, and political levels from both perspectives. IPC was central to HPs, including physiotherapy, whereas PWCP focused on interpersonal aspects for successful treatment. Conclusion Complex clinical pictures with biopsychosocial effects require interdisciplinary approaches to meet the needs and requirements of PWCP and HPs and to achieve patient-centered treatment goals.

Insights about social identities from health professional students in interprofessional experiential learning: A qualitative approach / Soziale Identitäten von Studierenden der Gesundheitsberufe im interprofessionellen Erfahrungslernen: Eine qualitative Studie

Tue, 18 Feb 2025 00:00:00 GMT

Background Interprofessional education (IPE) provides students with opportunities to consider the impact of effective collaboration on patient outcomes. Socializing beyond one’s own profession in an interprofessional team challenges the social identity theory that postulates favoring those within the same group, or, in this case, the same health profession. The social identities that learners form before entering a degree program may impact team socialization. We describe how students considered their social identities while interacting in an interprofessional team and engaging with patients in experiential patient-centered learning. Methods Students (n=139) representing 11 health professions worked in interprofessional teams to interview patients about living with chronic illness. Students reflected on how their social identities may impact team and patient interactions before and after the interviews. Responses from the written student reflections were collected for data analysis. Results Before the interviews, students reported that social identities may be advantageous for teamwork, allow for diverse perspectives, raise cultural awareness, provide relatability with patients, and bring awareness to biases. Following interviews, students reported increased awareness of their own, peers’, and patients’ social identities. Conclusions Intentionally encouraging students to reflect on their social identities and how these influence collaboration with peers and patients contributed to their interprofessional socialization.

Accompanying Persons in Child and Adolescent Rehabilitation – what role do they play? Qualitative interviews with therapeutic staff and carers / Begleitpersonen in der Kinder- und Jugendrehabilitation – welche Rolle nehmen sie ein? Qualitative Interviews mit therapeutischem Personal und Sorgeberechtigten

Tue, 31 Dec 2024 00:00:00 GMT

BackgroundMedical rehabilitation for children and adolescents in Germany has been strengthened in recent years, including facilitated admission of parents/caregivers, leading to an increase in the number of ‘accompanying persons’ in the rehabilitation setting. The aim of this study was to explore the roles of accompanying persons in rehabilitation, taking into account the perspectives of different stakeholders. MethodsSemi-structured interviews were conducted with 12 accompanying persons at the beginning and the end of rehabilitation, as well as 18 healthcare providers with different areas of expertise. Data were analysed deductively and inductively using framework analysis. ResultsIn addition to the topics of pre-rehabilitation-information and the general conflicting character of accompanying persons, three role categories could be identified within the rehab setting: Accompanying persons as child-caregiver, self-caregiver and clients of care. These roles are associated with different demands, needs and tasks. ConclusionsOur findings suggest that the concept of ‚accompanying person' should be further developed. Both clinical staff and accompanying persons themselves should become more aware of the different role-requirements. Greater consideration of the different needs and resources of accompanying persons is essential to provide sustainable support for both children and caregivers.

Vernetzt versorgen. Primärversorgungszentren, Praxisnetzwerke und interprofessionelle Zusammenarbeit. Abstracts zur VFWG-Dreiländertagung 2024 an der FH Gesundheitsberufe Oberösterreich in Linz

Sat, 21 Dec 2024 00:00:00 GMT

Interprofessional education’s readiness among Brazilian medical students / Interprofessionelle Bildung: Bereitschaft unter brasilianischen Medizinstudierenden

Tue, 17 Dec 2024 00:00:00 GMT

The study examines the readiness for shared learning based on interprofessional education (IPE) among Brazilian medical students participating in preceptorship programs. A total of 642 students from all six medical courses across a state in Brazil completed the Readiness for Interprofessional Learning Scale (RIPLS) and a sociodemographic questionnaire. The results, analyzed across three RIPLS factors—teamwork and collaboration, professional identity, and patient-centered care—reveal a positive inclination toward collaborative learning, though each factor was influenced by different variables. Teamwork and collaboration (factor 1) were significantly associated with gender, medical program semester, prior teamwork experience, and current clinical practice. Professional identity (factor 2) was shaped by gender, prior bachelor’s degree, type of university (public or private), and medical program semester. Patient-centered care (factor 3) showed significant relationships with gender, prior bachelor’s degree, type of university, medical program semester, and current clinical practice. These findings highlight the importance of acknowledging various demographic and educational variables when assessing student readiness for shared learning. Such insights can help medical programs refine their curricula and develop educational strategies to promote IPE, fostering collaborative healthcare practice in alignment with both national and international guidelines.