An interprofessional early childhood training program: speech-language pathology and music therapy student outcomes and reflections

Interprofessional co-treatment practices in the allied health professions: a scoping review

Interprofessional co-treatment occurs when practitioners from different professions engage in collaborative practice during the same session with the same patient or client. While interprofessional co-treatment is common practice in many settings, there are no known studies that have synthesized the available literature across professions on this interprofessional intervention. A scoping review was conducted to explore the nature and volume of the literature on interprofessional co-treatment involving six allied health professions. A search strategy was implemented, and articles were reviewed by two independent reviewers. Thirty-three articles were included in the study. The professions commonly represented in co-treatment studies were as follows: occupational therapy, physical therapy, speech-language pathology, music therapy, and classroom teaching. Studies discussed co-treatment in direct patient or client care, as a student learning experience, or in the exploration of professional practice issues. Studies discussed co-treatment in a range of clinical contexts. The most common co-treatment collaborations were between occupational therapy and physical therapy; physical therapy and speech-language pathology; speech-language pathology and music therapy; and speech-language pathology and classroom teaching. Co-treatment occurs with a range of professions in both health and non-health contexts, which may be reflected in student IPE experiences. Given the paucity of empirical studies on co-treatment, more work is required by practitioners and researchers to advance the evidence base.

The transformative power of music: Insights into neuroplasticity, health, and disease

Music is a universal language that can elicit profound emotional and cognitive responses. In this literature review, we explore the intricate relationship between music and the brain, from how it is decoded by the nervous system to its therapeutic potential in various disorders. Music engages a diverse network of brain regions and circuits, including sensory-motor processing, cognitive, memory, and emotional components. Music-induced brain network oscillations occur in specific frequency bands, and listening to one's preferred music can grant easier access to these brain functions. Moreover, music training can bring about structural and functional changes in the brain, and studies have shown its positive effects on social bonding, cognitive abilities, and language processing. We also discuss how music therapy can be used to retrain impaired brain circuits in different disorders. Understanding how music affects the brain can open up new avenues for music-based interventions in healthcare, education, and wellbeing.

Interprofessional education within a nurse practitioner led paediatric service: A multi-methods study

AIM

This project explored whether a nurse practitioner led mobile paediatric screening service in early learning centres could incorporate allied health and nursing students and develop their confidence in interprofessional collaboration.

BACKGROUND

Interprofessional collaboration is essential for health professionals across all contexts of care, including early childhood screening and intervention that enables children to thrive.

METHODS

This multi-methods study (pre-test/post-test design) was conducted with nursing, physiotherapy, occupational therapy and nutrition and dietetics students attending clinical placement within the nurse practitioner led mobile paediatric service. Data were collected via pre and post placement surveys (ISVS-21) and post placement semi-structured interviews.

RESULTS

Twelve students participated from July to December 2022. Survey findings demonstrated students improved inter-professional socialisation and readiness, supported by qualitative findings that uncovered unique mechanisms for how positive experiences were achieved. Unique pedagogical elements included 1) the nurse practitioner's professional attributes and 2) the mobile nature of the service leveraging learning opportunities within the shared commute.

CONCLUSIONS

This study provides proof-of-concept of a placement model that facilitates interprofessional collaboration in nursing and allied health students. Further research should explore longer-term outcomes and scalability.

Building Collaborative Capacity in Early Intervention Preservice Providers Through Interprofessional Education

PURPOSE

Interprofessional practice within early intervention is underscored by policy, research, and recommended practices. The purpose of this study was to explore the impact of a brief interprofessional training on preservice speech-language pathology, early intervention/early childhood special education, physical therapy, and occupational therapy students' knowledge, beliefs, and attitudes about teaming and collaboration. Students' satisfaction with and perspectives of the training were also examined.

METHOD

A one-group, pretest-posttest design was used to examine differences in 36 students' knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs around interprofessional practice after the training. Descriptive approaches were used to analyze student satisfaction data and focus group data in order to evaluate student perceptions of the interprofessional training.

RESULTS

A paired-samples t test showed preservice students demonstrated increased scores in self-perceived ability, value, and comfort in working with others after the training institute. Descriptive analyses illustrated students gained a richer knowledge and appreciation for other disciplines and perceived the practice of interprofessional collaboration as a valuable learning experience.

CONCLUSION

The interprofessional training procedures, evaluation of impacts, and future directions are discussed.