An expectation of introductory interprofessional education (IPE) is improvement in attitudes towards other professions. However, the theory surrounding professional identity formation suggests this expectation may be premature. The objective of this study was to quantify first-year health professional students' attitudes towards their own and other professions and to investigate the relationship between strength of professional identity and attitudes towards other professions and interprofessional learning. Using a pre/post-test design, researchers administered the Readiness for Interprofessional Learning Scale (RIPLS) and the Interdisciplinary Education Perception Scale (IEPS) to 864 first-year healthcare students in the Academic Health Center (AHC) at the University of Minnesota. The findings showed a decline in student attitudes towards their own and other professions. Additionally, a positive correlation between a weakened professional identity and readiness for interprofessional learning was demonstrated. This study found that an introductory IPE course did not positively affect student attitudes towards other professions, or strengthen professional identity or readiness for interprofessional learning. Analysis of the findings support the successive stages of professional identity formation.

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Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate dental hygiene (DH) educational programs' didactic and clinical curriculum in the management of peri-implant diseases and conditions. The specific aims were (1) assess if evidence-based content for peri-implant diseases and conditions are currently included in didactic and clinical DH curriculum and (2) determine if DH education programs are currently preparing students at a level of clinical competency for the assessment and management of periimplant diseases and conditions. Design: A cross-sectional study of DH faculty member(s) from 331 United States entry-level programs responsible for didactic and clinical curriculum for peri-implant diseases and conditions were surveyed. The survey was disseminated electronically via Qualtrics xm August 2019 for a response rate of 26%. Results: The results showed didactic courses taught DH students the etiology of perimucositis and peri-implantitis (98%), clinical characteristics (98%), and risk factors contributing to these implant diseases (96%). Evaluation methods to determine student level of competency in a didactic setting included quizzes/examinations (98%), casebased examinations (63%), and written essays (6%). Eighty-five percent reported DH students are not required in a clinical setting to provide care for patients with periimplant diseases and conditions. Conclusions: Study results suggest DH education programs may need to revise didactic and clinical curriculum to ensure students graduate at a level of clinical competency for assessing and managing peri-implant conditions and diseases. DH educational programs should consider requiring clinical patient experiences for the assessment and management of peri-mucositis and peri-implantitis to prepare students for their professional role.

IntroductionAmong US men, oropharyngeal cancer (cancer of the back of the mouth and throat) is the 8th most common cancer. If detected early, human papillomavirus (HPV)-16-associated oropharyngeal cancer has a high 5-year survival rate. Risk factors such as high numbers of oral sex partners, disparities in smoking and drinking, and low rates of HPV vaccination may put gay and bisexual men at even higher risk for oropharyngeal cancer.MethodsWe recruited 21 healthcare providers in Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota and Houston, Texas to participate in semi-structured interviews. Nurses, physician assistants, dental hygienists, and dentists were asked about their clinical experiences serving gay and bisexual men and opinions on potential interventions for the early detection of oropharyngeal cancer.ResultsProviders typically did not tailor health screenings and examinations for gay and bisexual men. Participants lacked confidence in their ability to effectively implement routine screening for oropharyngeal cancer. The extent to which oropharyngeal cancer screening was incorporated into clinical practice varied by specialty, and practices necessary to detect it were scattered across clinical environments. HIV- and LGBTQ-focused healthcare providers were more aware of HPV-associated oropharyngeal cancer in gay and bisexual men, and appeared readier to act and lead on this issue.DiscussionFurther studies should (1) evaluate protocols for oropharyngeal cancer detection; (2) identify and assess the acceptability of screening in the community; and (3) study how to best close gaps in health services for gay and bisexual men which might contribute to low early detection rates of oropharyngeal cancer.

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