‘Sharing the Virtual Classroom’ – developing elearning for interprofessional undergraduate education Dr Lesley Diack The Robert Gordon University

What is inter professional education? ‘occasions when two or more professionals learn with, from and about one another to facilitate collaboration in practice.’ (CAIPE, 1997)

OUTCOME MEASURES OF IPE Learner’s reactions Modification of attitudes or perceptions Acquisition of knowledge/skills Change in behaviour Change in organisational practice Benefit to patients (HAMMICK, 2000)

The shared learning project

Key Elements of IPE Ongoing throughout education Develops the prerequisites for teamwork Patient/client focused Interactive Case/scenario based Built on a model of student development

Tomorrow’s Doctor’s and Pharmacists Welcome to this module for final year students from the medical school at the University of Aberdeen and the School of Pharmacy at the Robert Gordon University. This module will run during February/March

Timetable October Final year workshop October/December Recruitment November 2003/January 2004 – Design February/March 2004 – Go Live March 2004 – Debriefing

Reasons for a Virtual Course Logistics Creation of a community Medical students were on electives Experimenting with online

The Patient Mr William Connolly, aged 59 suffering from a number of complex conditions – type 2 diabetes, angina, impotence, recently had a hip replacement. On a variety of medication including diltiazem, aspirin, semi-daonil, nitrolingual spray, tylex.

What was shared? Video of the patient discussing his care (5 mins) Patient registration notes (1) Medication record (1) Medical summary (2) Clinical notes (4) Correspondence (15) Diabetes Clinic (1) Biochemistry results – urea/electrolytes (5) Haematology results (6) Lipid analysis (1)

‘Sharing the virtual classroom’ 33 students (14 pharmacy/19 medical) 22 students female/11 male 28-Aberdeen, 2-Scotland and 3-overseas. 6 students never logged on - problems 11 logged on infrequently 16 logged on regularly 11completed the course

Problems Firewalls Spam filters Timing Computer capability Non Assessed Unused to elearning/VLE

Successes Online Discussion groups worked Face to face at end very successful Students who participated – enjoyed course

Next stage? Need to solve computing difficulties Need for introductory session Need to train etutors Need to assess