Another look at what teachers and students think about interprofessional learning as a shared experience in Iran: a qualitative research

OBJECTIVES: To explore experiences of interprofessional learning (IPL), and how faculty and students might want to participate in IPL opportunities as a form of shared learning. DESIGN: Qualitative study. SETTING: The Ministry of Health and Medical Education which is accountable for rendering service to the public, providing healthcare needs and improving the quality of medical education was established in Iran in 1985, to integrate medical education with healthcare services. PARTICIPANTS: A sample of six faculty members and seven students, purposively sampled for demographic characteristics and their experience regarding shared learning. METHODS: A descriptive qualitative study using thematic analysis of content was conducted. Data were obtained using semistructured interviews and then analysed thematically. Data collection and analysis were concurrent. RESULTS: Three categories were identified: the role of prologues in IPL, the role of structured IPL, and the role of context and structure in such a system for learning, representing seven subcategories. CONCLUSION: The findings indicate that experiences of learning with different professionals are complex, and these experiences shape their present and future workplace relations. Matching the existing educational context and structure with IPL and providing planned interaction and reflection among professionals are necessary to support IPL.