INVESTIGATING THE INFLUENCE OF INTER-PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION ON THE ATTITUDES, SKILLS, AND BEHAVIOR OF HEALTHCARE WORKERS IN NIGERIA

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background of the study

Currently, the provision of care for a single patient sometimes involves a multitude of professionals from different disciplines, leading to fragmentation of care (Ronnie, 2019). This is especially relevant for patients who require intricate and comprehensive medical attention (Raju, 2019). For optimal patient care, it is crucial to have collaboration among all personnel involved. Prior research has demonstrated that issues pertaining to collaboration and coordination among professionals can have adverse effects on patient outcomes, diminish professionals' job satisfaction, and contribute to resource wastage (Patrick et al., 2019; Sanchez et al., 2020; Sebastian et al., 2022). Regrettably, numerous reasons can impede the efficacy of collaboration among professionals. These factors encompass both professional-related issues (such as insufficient knowledge and trust in the skills and expertise of other professionals, and a limited understanding of their roles) and external factors like professional culture, time limitations, difficulties in contacting other professionals, and absence of reimbursement for collaborative work (Sanchez et al., 2020; Dominique et al., 2021).

Inter-professional education (IPE) is the process in which numerous professionals engage in interactions to learn from and about each other, fostering collaboration. The implementation of Interprofessional Education (IPE) in a professional setting can have remarkable benefits. It not only enhances effective partnerships, but also fosters the development of respect, awareness of professional responsibilities, conflict management, and the cultivation of leadership skills and ethical working practices (Cagliari, 2021). Extensive research has demonstrated that Interprofessional Education (IPE) effectively mitigates professional biases, fosters essential attitude transformation among healthcare professionals, and facilitates the integration of interdisciplinary competence (Sandro et al., 2019). Considering these concepts, there is unquestionably a strong belief in the efficacy of IPE. This is why there is a significant emphasis on advancing IPE in Nigeria's healthcare sector to promote collaborations and patient-centered care (Adenekan et al., 2022). 

Inter-professional education (IPE) is a progressive method of healthcare training that entails acquiring knowledge and skills in conjunction with students from other healthcare professions, aiming to cultivate collaborative practice (Agnus, 2017). The importance of IPE resides in its capacity to dismantle conventional professional divisions, foster mutual esteem, and improve collaboration among healthcare practitioners. In the face of growing complexity in healthcare, it is crucial to possess the skills to collaborate efficiently within inter-professional teams in order to deliver top-notch, patient-focused care (Rodriguez, 2017).

The healthcare system in Nigeria encounters various obstacles, such as a scarcity of proficient practitioners, restricted resources, and a substantial disease burden (Kabiru, 2019). These issues are exacerbated by a healthcare workforce that frequently lacks the requisite training and expertise to effectively collaborate across several disciplines. In Nigeria, as well as in numerous other countries, the conventional approach to healthcare education has mostly focused on individual professions, offering limited chances for students from other health disciplines to engage in collaborative learning (Akande, 2020; Shola et al., 2018).

Inter-professional education has been suggested as a means to address these difficulties by providing healthcare professionals with the necessary attitudes, abilities, and behaviours for successful collaboration (Bassey, 2022). Interprofessional education (IPE) facilitates the development of a comprehensive comprehension of the roles of healthcare professionals from different disciplines, including medicine, nursing, pharmacy, and allied health. It also enhances effective communication and fosters the essential teamwork skills required for the delivery of integrated care (Fabian et al., 2023). The use of this cooperative method in education has the capacity to revolutionise the healthcare workforce in Nigeria by equipping upcoming professionals with the skills to effectively collaborate in tackling the health issues faced by the country (Shola et al., 2018).

Nevertheless, the adoption of IPE in Nigeria is currently at its nascent phase, and there is a scarcity of research on its influence on the attitudes, skills, and behaviour of healthcare personnel. Gaining insight into how IPE impacts these factors is crucial for assessing its efficacy and for informing the design of IPE initiatives customised to the Nigerian setting. This study aims to examine the impact of inter-professional education on the attitudes, skills, and behaviour of healthcare professionals in Nigeria. The research seeks to evaluate the impact of Interprofessional Education (IPE) programs on collaboration, communication, and teamwork in the healthcare context by analysing the experiences of healthcare workers who have participated in such programs. The results of this study will offer vital understanding regarding the efficacy of IPE in equipping a healthcare staff that is competent in delivering top-notch, integrated care, ultimately leading to improved health outcomes for the Nigerian population.

1.2 Statement of the problem

Healthcare delivery in Nigeria is confronted with several issues, such as inequalities in access, the standard of service, and cooperation among professionals. Inter-professional education (IPE) has arisen as a viable strategy to tackle these problems by promoting a cooperative practice among healthcare professionals. Interprofessional education (IPE) is a process that entails providing training to persons from diverse professional backgrounds in order to promote effective collaboration and enhance patient outcomes (Melekwe & Mba, 2022).

The healthcare system in Nigeria has intricate issues, such as a substantial disease burden, limited resources, and a scarcity of skilled experts (Akintola, 2023). These issues are worsened by a fragmented healthcare delivery system, in which healthcare practitioners frequently work alone, resulting in inefficiencies, lack of communication, and subpar patient care. In Nigeria, the conventional approach to healthcare education has primarily focused on individual professions, limiting the chances for healthcare professionals from many disciplines to collaborate and acquire knowledge together (Akam, 2022, Ikechukwu & Philip, 2020; Salisu et al., 2019). The division between different professional groups frequently leads to a deficiency in cooperation, and subpar relationships between professionals can impede the provision of complete and coordinated healthcare. Inter-professional education (IPE) has been recognised as a possible remedy for these problems by fostering collaborative practice through shared learning experiences (Ikechukwu, 2020). The objective of IPE is to equip healthcare professionals with the necessary skills to effectively collaborate as a team. This is achieved by promoting mutual respect, boosting communication abilities, and deepening their awareness of each other's roles within the healthcare system (Melekwe & Mba, 2022). Although the promise of IPE is acknowledged, its adoption and impact in Nigeria are still limited and have not been well investigated.

There is a notable deficiency in the existing body of research about the impact of Interprofessional Education (IPE) on the attitudes, skills, and behaviour of healthcare professionals in Nigeria. Without a comprehensive comprehension of its consequences, it is difficult to rationalise the extensive adoption of IPE programs or to formulate methods that successfully incorporate IPE into the healthcare education system. Furthermore, there has been insufficient exploration of the particular cultural, institutional, and systemic obstacles that may impact the effectiveness of IPE in the Nigerian setting. This study aims to fill these knowledge gaps by examining the impact of inter-professional education on the attitudes, abilities, and behaviour of healthcare professionals in Nigeria. The research seeks to ascertain whether the implementation of Interprofessional Education (IPE) results in enhanced collaboration, communication, and teamwork among healthcare professionals, and whether these modifications ultimately contribute to improved patient care outcomes. 

Objectives of the study

The primary objective of this study is to critically Investigate the Influence of Inter-Professional Education on the Attitudes, Skills, and Behavior of Healthcare Workers in Nigeria. Specific objectives of this study are to:

To evaluate the effects of IPE on healthcare workers’ attitudes, skills, and behaviors in Nigeria

To assess how inter-professional education (IPE) influences the attitudes of healthcare workers towards collaboration and teamwork within the Nigerian healthcare system.

To examine the impact of IPE on the development of essential skills for inter-professional collaboration in Nigeria

To analyze the impact of IPE on healthcare workers' behaviors.

1.4 Research Questions

The following research questions which are in line with the objectives of this study will be answered in this study:

What are the effects of IPE on the attitudes, skills, and behaviors of healthcare workers?

How does participation in inter-professional education influence healthcare workers’ attitudes towards collaboration and teamwork in Nigeria?

To what extent does IPE enhance the development of communication, problem-solving, and team coordination skills among healthcare workers?

What behavioral changes occur among healthcare workers as a result of IPE, particularly in terms of collaborative practice and team-based patient care?

1.5 Research Hypotheses

To determine the effectiveness of this study, the following research null hypotheses will be formulated to guide the study and it will be tested at 0.05% levels of significance.:

Ho: Inter-professional education has no significant effect on the attitudes, skills, and behaviors of healthcare workers.

Ha: Inter-professional education has no significant effect on the attitudes, skills, and behaviors of healthcare workers.

1.6 Significance of the study

The objective of this study is to offer in-depth understanding of how International Political Economy (IPE) can be utilised to enhance the efficiency of healthcare services in Nigeria, eventually benefiting healthcare practitioners and patients.

This study aims to evaluate the impact of inter-professional education (IPE) on the attitudes and behaviours of healthcare professionals, with the goal of enhancing collaboration among different healthcare professions. Optimising collaboration among team members is essential for delivering thorough and synchronised patient care, resulting in improved health results. Gaining insight into the influence of IPE on the cultivation of crucial competencies for successful inter-professional practice might facilitate the design of more comprehensive training initiatives. Enhancing abilities in communication, problem-solving, and team coordination can directly improve the quality of patient care.

Furthermore, the research offers valuable understanding on how IPE might be customised to address the specific difficulties and requirements of the Nigerian healthcare system, including limitations in resources and professional hierarchies. Having a comprehensive awareness of the context is crucial in order to develop efficient IPE programs that are both practical and have a significant impact on Nigeria.

Furthermore, the discoveries can provide policymakers and educational institutions with significant evidence regarding the efficacy of IPE. This can result in well-informed judgements regarding the incorporation of Interprofessional Education (IPE) into healthcare education and training programs, ultimately enhancing collaborative practices throughout the healthcare system. Through the identification of influential factors, this study aims to assist in the development of strategies that will enable the successful and sustainable implementation of IPE programs, hence ensuring the attainment of their desired goals.

Furthermore, engaging in Interprofessional Education (IPE) can result in the advancement and enhancement of healthcare workers' professional skills and knowledge. The study's findings can illuminate the ways in which IPE contributes to the improvement of skills and the modification of behaviour, leading to career advancement and increased job satisfaction. Efficient inter-professional teamwork, facilitated through Interprofessional Education (IPE), has the potential to result in a more comprehensive and patient-focused approach to healthcare. The study aims to enhance collaboration and effective exchange of information among healthcare professionals, hence fostering improved patient management and results. This research endeavours to solve the current deficiencies in patient care in Nigeria.

Moreover, the study can offer a fundamental comprehension of the impact of IPE in Nigeria, establishing the groundwork for subsequent research. This can prompt more investigation into the role of IPE in different situations or populations, thereby enhancing the worldwide knowledge base on inter-professional education and practice.

1.7 Scope of the study

Broadly, this study focus is to critically Investigate the Influence of Inter-Professional Education on the Attitudes, Skills, and Behavior of Healthcare Workers in Nigeria. Specifically, this study seeks to evaluate the effects of IPE on healthcare workers’ attitudes, skills, and behaviors in Nigeria and assess how inter-professional education (IPE) influences the attitudes of healthcare workers towards collaboration and teamwork within the Nigerian healthcare system. 

Further, this study will focus on examining the impact of IPE on the development of essential skills for inter-professional collaboration in Nigeria and it also seeks to analyze the impact of IPE on healthcare workers' behaviors in Nigeria.

 The study is carried out in Nigeria. 

1.8 Limitations of the study

During the examination, the researchers noticed several small restrictions, which are common in any human endeavour. The main limitation was the scarcity of complete literature on the topic, which was due to the lack of data indicating the impact of Inter-Professional Education on the attitudes, skills, and behaviour of healthcare workers in Nigeria. Therefore, a significant amount of time and effort was necessary to determine the appropriate materials, books, or information and gather data. 

Furthermore, this study is constrained by its small sample size and narrow geographic scope, focussing solely on Nigeria. Therefore, the capacity to extrapolate the findings of this study to a broader context is restricted, underscoring the need for more investigation. 

Moreover, the researcher's limitations were primarily ascribed to financial constraints, as they are a student lacking the financial resources to sustain themselves. The exorbitant transportation fees at the study site posed a challenge in meeting the financial obligations related to transportation expenses.

Furthermore, the researcher faced a time constraint due to the need to do this research while simultaneously fulfilling the obligations of attending lectures and participating in other educational pursuits.

1.9 Definition of terms

Interdisciplinary teamwork: Interdisciplinary teamwork (also known as Inter-Professional collaboration) in healthcare refers to the collaborative approach where professionals from different disciplines work together to deliver comprehensive patient care.

Patient outcome: Patient outcomes are the results from care and treatments patients have received whilst in hospital, other clinical or care settings. They focus on meeting the physical, social, and emotional needs of patients from their own perspective to highlight what is important to them.

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