Post-registration interprofessional learning: a literature review and consideration of research methods

Abstract

This review explores the literature with regards to interprofessional learning (IPL) for qualified nurses and other health care workers. Three research studies were found. These showed that IPL can promote interprofessional trust, knowledge and skills. There is as yet no evidence that patient outcomes are changed, and taken as a whole, the evidence is not strong. There is also evidence that the providers of IPL for post-registration health care workers also tend to be the researchers. This is not ideal; it raises the possibility of the inclusion of bias and, using the values of evidence based practice, weakens the evidence.

It is suggested that workers who comment on their own IPL initiatives should make explicit the measures they have taken to minimise bias. Comparison of findings from the literature is made with pre-registration IPL and a tabulated summary of much of the published evidence is included, which may be a useful source for future authors in this field.