Knowledge, Attitudes and Perception of Tutors Towards Inter-Professional Education: A Case Study at Uganda Institute of Allied Health and Management Sciences

Abstract

With the increasing acknowledgment of the benefits of interprofessional education in the training of the health workforce, the awareness and attitudes of tutors towards this emerging concept are paramount for effectiveness in bringing out the intended outcomes. This study assessed the knowledge, attitudes and perceptions of tutors towards interprofessional education at the Uganda Institute of Allied Health and Management Sciences. A cross-sectional descriptive mixed study design was adopted and questionnaires were administered to health tutors of the different programs at the Uganda Institute of Allied Health and Management Sciences. Findings revealed that the majority (77.8%), of the tutors lacked knowledge of the concept 63% demonstrated positive attitudes and perceptions towards IPE. It was concluded that despite the tutors’ paucity of knowledge of IPE, their attitudes and perceptions are positive, implying that if they got adequate training and facilitation upon IPE and its practices, they would gain awareness and better their confidence in facilitating and supervising training and managing conflicts that would arise during implementation of IPE. It was recommended that the National Council of Higher Education (NCHE) with support from the Ministry of Education and Sports interest themselves in this innovation and offer training to the tutors as IPE is considered in the pipeline for a better healthcare workforce production, capacitation and strengthening.