Moving from conversation to commitment: Optimising school-based health promotion in the Western Cape, South Africa

Background: Recent evaluation of the Interdisciplinary Health Promotion (IHP) course offered by the University of the Western Cape (UWC) at schools revealed that the needs expressed by the schools had not changed in the last five years. Objectives: This paper describes the process that was undertaken to identify specific interventions that would have an impact on the schools and, in turn, the broader community, and provides an overview of the interventions conducted in 2011 - 2012. Methods: A stakeholder dialogue explored notions of partnership between the university and the schools, sustainability of health promotion programmes in the schools, and social responsiveness of the university. An action research design was followed using the nominal group technique to gain consensus among the stakeholders as to which interventions are needed, most appropriate and sustainable. Results: A comprehensive plan of action for promoting health in schools was formulated and implemented based on the outcome of the stakeholder dialogue. Conclusion: The study's findings reiterate that an ongoing dialogue between schools and higher education institutions is imperative in building sustainable partnerships to respond to health promotion needs of the school community.Department of HE and Training approved lis

Facilitating community-based interprofessional education and collaborative practice in a health sciences faculty: student perceptions and experiences

BACKGROUND: Interprofessional education (IPE) aims at facilitating the collaborative practice of healthcare professionals. However, students have varied experiences with IPE and the collaborative practice initiatives implemented by universities. OBJECTIVE: To explore the experiences and perceptions of health science students of an IPE Collaborative practice (IPECP) intervention they had engaged in. METHODS: This qualitative study used two focus group discussions with a conveniently selected group of students who had been part of the intervention. Two researchers who were not part of the intervention conducted the interviews. The audiotaped interviews were analysed using thematic analysis. Ethical clearance for the study was received from the University of the Western Cape. RESULTS: Three main themes emerged from the data: the usefulness of the framework introduced as part of the intervention; engaging in interprofessional groups; and the overall impact of the intervention. The students reported that they needed introduction to the framework earlier for it to be useful. It became apparent that students need to be prepared to work in interprofessional groups. The overall intervention was perceived positively, allowing students to become aware of other students' roles. CONCLUSION: The students experienced a lack of knowledge and therefore struggled with the applications of the International Classification of Functioning Disability and Health as a framework to facilitate IPECP. However, they experienced the IPECP intervention as providing structure to the clinical placements, making it a more positive experience.DHE

Reflection on an interprofessional community-based participatory research project

BACKGROUND. A collaborative interprofessional research project that involved community members was beneficial to community development. OBJECTIVE. To draw upon the experiences of academics relating to their involvement in an interprofessional community-based participatory research (CBPR) project. METHODS. A Delphi study was applied as a self-reflective evaluation process to reach consensus on the lessons learnt from participation in a CBPR project. Round one of the Delphi employed closed-ended questions and the responses were analysed descriptively using Microsoft Excel (USA). The second round consisted mainly of open-ended questions and responses, and was analysed qualitatively. Ethical clearance was obtained from the University of the Western Cape research committee. RESULTS. Based on round one of the Delphi study, it became evident that recognition of the community as a unit of identity, addressing health from physical, emotional and social perspectives and formation of long-term commitments were the CBPR principles most applied. Disseminating information to all partners and facilitation of the collaborative equitable involvement of all partners in all phases of the research were the principles least applied. Themes that emerged from the second round of the Delphi included the identification of clear objectives based on the needs of the community, a shift from identification of the needs of the community to the implementation of strategies, and the creation of capacity-building opportunities for all stakeholders. CONCLUSION. In a reflection on the research process, the interprofessional team of academics found that the basics of CBPR should be attended to first. A focus on clear objectives, implementation strategies and capacity building is important in CBPR.DHE

Facilitating community-based interprofessional education and collaborative practice in a health sciences faculty: Student perceptions and experiences

Background. Interprofessional education (IPE) aims at facilitating the collaborative practice of healthcare professionals. However, students have varied experiences with IPE and the collaborative practice initiatives implemented by universities.Objective. To explore the experiences and perceptions of health science students of an IPE Collaborative practice (IPECP) intervention they had engaged in.Methods. This qualitative study used two focus group discussions with a conveniently selected group of students who had been part of the intervention. Two researchers who were not part of the intervention conducted the interviews. The audiotaped interviews were analysed using thematic analysis. Ethical clearance for the study was received from the University of the Western Cape.Results. Three main themes emerged from the data: the usefulness of the framework introduced as part of the intervention; engaging in interprofessional groups; and the overall impact of the intervention. The students reported that they needed introduction to the framework earlier for it to be useful. It became apparent that students need to be prepared to work in interprofessional groups. The overall intervention was perceived positively, allowing students to become aware of other students’ roles.Conclusion. The students experienced a lack of knowledge and therefore struggled with the applications of the International Classification of Functioning Disability and Health as a framework to facilitate IPECP. However, they experienced the IPECP intervention as providing structure to the clinical placements, making it a more positive experience