Original Theory & Research
A Pilot Study to Examine the Conflict Handling Preferences of Health Professions Students Before and After Participation in an Interprofessional Education and Collaborative Practice (IPECP) Initiative
Authors:
Daniel G. Dominguez ,
Master of Health Administration, GB 205, University of the Incarnate Word, 4301 Broadway St, San Antonio, TX 78209, US
About Daniel G.
PhD, MHA
Patricia C. Sanchez-Diaz,
School of Optometry, University of the Incarnate Word, US
About Patricia C.
DVM, PhD
David S. Fike,
School of Education, University of the Incarnate Word, US
About David S.
PhD
Monica N. Ramirez,
Nursing Program, University of the Incarnate Word, US
About Monica N.
PhD, RN
Matthew E. Walk,
School of Physical Therapy, University of the Incarnate Word, US
About Matthew E.
DPT
Helmut Gottlieb,
Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of the Incarnate Word, US
About Helmut
PhD
Ramona Ann Parker
School of Ostephathic Medicine, University of the Incarnate Word, US
About Ramona Ann
Ed.M.,PhD, RN
Abstract
INTRODUCTION: A hallmark of interprofessional teams is the ability to deal with conflict, thus, a fundamental component of interprofessional education is the ability to address and resolve conflict. This pilot study investigated the association between an interprofessional education and collaborative practice (IPECP) experience and the conflict handling modes of students from five health professions programs.
METHODS: The Thomas-Kilmann Conflict Mode Instrument (TKI) was used to assess 88 IPECP health professions students (health management=9; nursing=19; pharmacy=36; physical therapy=12; and optometry=12). Pre- and post-intervention changes in student TKI percentiles were evaluated using paired t-tests and one-way ANCOVA. IBM SPSS 22 was used for statistical analyses with .05 as cutoff value for significance.
RESULTS: After the IPECP intervention, in aggregate, participants were less likely to prefer avoiding as a means of handling conflict (t(87) = 3.43, p = .001). Using a one-way ANCOVA, degree program, (p = .016) and gender (p = .008) were significantly associated with changes in compromising handling mode percentile scores.
DISCUSSION: The decrease in the avoiding percentile suggests that, post-intervention, students were more willing to engage in conflict, thus, increasing their overall preference for the more assertive and cooperative dimensions of the TKI model.
CONCLUSION: Though results are preliminary, they suggest that an interactive and patient-centered IPECP may be associated with the development of effective conflict handling skills among health professions students.
How to Cite:
Dominguez, D.G., Sanchez-Diaz, P.C., Fike, D.S., Ramirez, M.N., Walk, M.E., Gottlieb, H. and Parker, R.A., 2016. A Pilot Study to Examine the Conflict Handling Preferences of Health Professions Students Before and After Participation in an Interprofessional Education and Collaborative Practice (IPECP) Initiative. Health, Interprofessional Practice and Education, 3(1), p.eP1093. DOI: http://doi.org/10.7710/2159-1253.1093
Published on
22 Aug 2016.
Peer Reviewed
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