Interprofessional learning (IPL) is vital for developing work-ready graduates of tertiary health professions and enhancing outcomes of patients with chronic pain. Twenty-two students from six health professions participated in or co-facilitated components of a 6-week group chronic pain management program. Twelve community clients with chronic pain and one family member participated. The program was piloted through the University of Tasmania Exercise Physiology Clinic and consisted of an initial assessment, weekly 1-hour group education sessions, and a 1-hour individualized, supervised exercise session. The program was evaluated using a constructivist approach via an investigator developed survey. Seven students and nine clients responded. A conventional content analysis was undertaken. Three categories were identified from students: Importance of IPL, Understanding Chronic Pain, and Improvement Suggestions. Three categories were identified from clients including Beneficial Aspects, Positive Peer Support, and Positive Pain Outcomes. Results indicate the program was beneficial for student learning and improved pain outcomes for participants. The model demonstrates value to student IPL and the potential to flexibly offer a real-world learning experience across many health professions, whilst addressing some of the common challenges associated with implementing IPL within curricula. The outcomes offer ways to explore sustainable implementation of the program long term.

Item Type:	Refereed Article
Keywords:	Interprofessional learning, chronic pain, work integrated learning
Research Division:	Biomedical and Clinical Sciences
Research Group:	Clinical sciences
Research Field:	Pain
Objective Division:	Health
Objective Group:	Clinical health
Objective Field:	Human pain management
UTAS Author:	Bridgman, H (Dr Heather Bridgman)
UTAS Author:	Todd, A (Mrs Anne Todd)
UTAS Author:	Maine, G (Mrs Greer Maine)
UTAS Author:	Hardcastle, S (Dr Sibella Hardcastle)
UTAS Author:	Bird, ML (Dr Marie-Louise Bird)
UTAS Author:	Radford, J (Associate Professor Jan Radford)
UTAS Author:	Marlow, A (Ms Annette Marlow)
UTAS Author:	Elmer, S (Dr Shandell Elmer)
UTAS Author:	Murray, S (Ms Sandra Murray)
UTAS Author:	Norris, K (Professor Kimberley Norris)
UTAS Author:	Dean, T (Dr Tracey Dean)
UTAS Author:	Williams, A (Associate Professor Andrew Williams)
ID Code:	142112
Year Published:	2020
Web of Science® Times Cited:	1
Deposited By:	UTAS Centre for Rural Health
Deposited On:	2020-12-14
Last Modified:	2021-03-24
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