Changing Attitudes - Health Sciences Students Working Together
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Elizabeth A. Taylor, MEd. OT(C) FCAOT1
David
Cook PhD2
Rosemarie Cunnigham, BSc.3
Sharla King, PhD.4
Jan Pimlott, MSc.5
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Associate Professor & Associate Chair,
Department of Occupational Therapy,
University of Alberta,
Edmonton
- Director
of Medical Education, Faculty
of Medicine, University of Alberta,
Edmonton
- Clinical Lecturer, Laboratory Medicine and Pathology,
University of Alberta
- Academic Coordinator IntD 410,
University of Alberta, Edmonton
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Director, Interprofessional Initiative,
University of Alberta
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Citation:
Taylor, E., Cook, D., Cunnignham, R., King, S., Pimlott, J: Changing attitudes: Health sciences students working
together. The Internet Journal of Allied Health Sciences and
Practice. July 2004. Volume 2 Number 3.
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Abstract
Is it possible to
alter limiting stereotypic attitudes of health professionals toward
each other? Perhaps a first step might be an undergraduate
interdisciplinary course that brings students from different faculties
together to work on scenarios of common interest? The
Inter-professional Health Development, Education & Activities Group (IHDEA)
at the University of Alberta believe that their innovative INTD 410
course addresses the goal of changing attitudes. Over a five-week
period, more than 700 students attend this required course. They are
supported by some fifty facilitators who are drawn from the community
and from six different university faculties. Students interact in
small interdisciplinary teams and in the process deepen their
knowledge of the role of each health professional, and come to a
greater understanding of the contributions of their own discipline to
the team. Data gathered suggest that the course cultivates respect
among the professions and that students feel better able to function
within the health team. This paper describes how the course was
developed. |
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Keywords and terms:
change, attitudes, team building, education, feedback, roles
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