Interprofessional education workshop on aging: student perceptions of interprofessional collaboration, aging, and cultural fluency

Interprofessional education is vital to prepare students in healthcare-related fields for future practice to improve participation in teams and enhance client/patient outcomes. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of a half-day interprofessional education workshop on aging based on students' self-rated confidence in working in interprofessional teams, with aging, and culturally diverse clients/patients. Students from eight healthcare-related disciplines at a private mid-western university attended an interprofessional workshop. Afterward, students completed a reflective survey to evaluate pre- and post-workshop perceptions about interprofessional collaboration and caring for aging and diverse clients/patients. Quantitative methods using paired sample t-tests revealed a statistically significant difference in students' self-reported level of preparedness in the areas of interprofessional education, aging, and cultural fluency (P < .001). In addition, qualitative methods were used to organize data into themes. Additional insights were gained to inform future workshops.