Effect of the Health Mentors Program on Student Attitudes toward Team Care

Interprofessional education (IPE) is a key theme in preparing the future workforce, yet there is a lack of robust data documenting the benefits. Student attitudes toward IPE, a potential indicator of behavior, are often used as one measure of success. However, past research has shown that student attitudes about IPE are initially positive and show little change after an IPE experience. Attitudes toward team-based collaborative care may be a more sensitive measure of efficacy (Rose et al). The Attitudes Toward Health Care Teams (ATHTC) scale (Heinemann et al) was used to assess the Health Mentors Program (HMP), a 2-year longitudinal curriculum that brings entry-level interprofessional teams of students together with a person living with one or more chronic conditions and/or impairments. Students work as teams, and with the Health Mentor, over the course of the program to learn to work as a team and understand the patient perspective in delivering care. Students completed the ATHTC at matriculation and at program completion in Spring 2011. A paired samples t-test showed significant improvements in attitude mean scores between baseline and program completion in all disciplines with sufficient sample size. A paired samples t-test for students in all programs (n=173) found significant improvements (p=.000) in attitudes (baseline mean 3.27 (.45) and 3.75 (.58), while an ANOVA showed no significant differences between groups. Improved attitudes toward team-based care may be one important indicator of program success. A limitation of this study is lack of a control group of students not exposed to formal IPE. Next steps include measuring attitudes longitudinally during the remainder of training and into clinical practice. Learning Objectives: Upon completion of this learning activity, participants should be able to: 1. Recognize that student attitudes toward IPE, a potential indicator of behavior, are often used as one measure of success. 2. Assess the attitudinal tool discussed and apply them to their own needs to measure attitudes toward team-based care