Implementing MIA – Mannheim's interprofessional training ward: first evaluation results

Project description: In Germany there is great interest in better preparing learners in the health care professions for interprofessional (IP) collaboration on IP training wards. On the MIA, Mannheim’s interprofessional training ward, medical students, nursing apprentices and physiotherapy (PT) trainees learn and practise real patient care in a team under supervision. The concept of the MIA, its implementation and the first evaluation results are reported. During the 2017/18 academic year, 201 medical students, 72 nursing apprentices and 33 PT trainees completed their mandatory placements on the MIA, which they evaluated online at the end of the placement (questions on the organisation of the MIA placement, learning gains, supervision, participant satisfaction, personal insights). The data was analysed according to frequency for each health care profession separately using the Kruskal-Wallis test for comparing the evaluation data between the three participant groups. Results: The response rate was 45% (104 medical students, 16 nursing apprentices, 19 PT trainees). 64% of the medical students considered the placement too short. For 70% of the nursing apprentices, the number of patients to be treated was too high. The supervision by the facilitators was adequate. There were often IP contacts. Professional and IP learning gains were rated high. IP learning took place mainly in personal conversations and on IP ward rounds. IP communication/collaboration was mentioned most often as an important insight gained from the placement. Discussion: The implementation of the MIA concept is considered successful. The learning objectives were achieved. The structured daily routine on the ward with its IP elements promotes IP collaboration and helps to minimise difficulties in the clinical placement, which – often for the first time – demands that the participants manage patient care in an accountable manner. Conclusion: Placements on IP training wards in the education of health care professionals can be a good preparation for practising optimal patient care in the future.