A pilot program to improve nursing and surgical intern collaboration: Lessons learned from a mixed-methods study.

BACKGROUND: Inter-professional collaboration is an integral component of a successful healthcare team. We sought to evaluate the impact of nursing student participation in a one-day intensive inter-professional education (IPE) training session with surgical interns on participant attitudes toward inter-professional collaboration.

METHODS: Following IRB approval, pre and post IPE session survey responses were compared to determine the impact on participant attitudes toward inter-professional collaboration. Pre and post session semi-structured interviews were transcribed and analyzed to identify relevant themes.

RESULTS: Surgical interns (n = 38) more than nursing students (n = 11), demonstrated a measurable improvement in attitude towards 'collaboration and shared education' (interns: median score pre = 26, post = 28, p = 0.0004; nursing student: median score pre = 27, post = 28, p = 0.02). Qualitative analysis of interviews identified major themes that supplemented this finding.

CONCLUSION: An eight hour, one day IPE session has a positive impact on collaborative attitudes and supports the case for increased inter-professional education amongst interns and nursing students.