Dental hygiene and public health students' perception of an online interprofessional education applied learning activity

Purpose/objectives To pilot an online interprofessional education (IPE) applied learning activity (ALA), to understand students' socialization and values towards IPE teams, and evaluate the IPE learning activity for future implementation. Methods A pre-and post-test design was used to assess interprofessional socialization and values utilizing the (ISVS-9A/9B) surveys before and after the IPE ALA among dental hygiene (DH) and Master of Public Health (MPH) students (n = 86). Three statements from the ISVS-9A/9B surveys were not included due to the nature of the activity. The IPE ALA was a case study related to a federally funded community health center seeking funding for a dental van within 14 local targeted communities (i.e., children, senior citizens, special needs). Student groups were randomly assigned to one targeted community and completed questions that required application of prevention, systems thinking and management and solutions of oral health issues. Students collaboratively developed an executive summary and presentation through an online learning platform. Results A total of 73 DH (n = 38) and MPH (n = 35) students (84.8% response rate) completed the ISVS 9-A (modified), and 57 students DH (n = 33) and MPH (n = 24) students (66.3% response rate) completed the ISVS-9B (modified) and IPE activity evaluation. A positive change (pre-post) was observed based on the students' responses (p < 0.05) and 64% agreed that the skills obtained from the IPE ALA would help them in their careers. Conclusions Overall, student learners' ISVS toward IPE improved after engaging in the online ALA. The use of online platforms is one low resource strategy to integrate IPE experiences into allied health and dental education.