Abstract
Background
As the scientific discourse about interprofessional learning, teaching, and practice has been gaining momentum in recent years, German-speaking countries still have a considerable amount of catching up to do compared with other countries. The discourse about stereotypes and their effects may serve as an example in this respect.
Objective
We set out to establish which theoretical and methodological approaches have been used in research on stereotypes endorsed by health professions students and which empirical findings are currently available on the effects of such stereotypes on interprofessional learning, teaching and practice. The main goal was to summarize the current research, to point out research desiderata and identify starting points for further research about this topic.
Methods
A broad narrative review of English and German literature was performed. Results were prepared, reflected and descriptive and analytical summarized.
Results
International research on stereotypes of health professions students in the interprofessional discourse is characterized by social-psychological theoretical and quantitative-empirical methodological approaches. Heterogeneous study designs limit the comparability and generalizability of current study findings. Answers to questions of whether and how stereotypes can be influenced through interprofessional learning, teaching, and practice were inconsistent in the literature.
Conclusion
Research findings on stereotypes endorsed by health professions students provided interesting theoretical and empirical perspectives for the debate surrounding interprofessional learning, teaching, and practice. These perspectives should be used to guide and stimulate further research on this topic in German-speaking countries.