Abstract
Purpose: This study examined the effectiveness of a mental health focused interprofessional education (IPE) event, where undergraduate and graduate students from four different healthcare disciplines collaboratively completed a case study activity, that included diversity and mental health components.
Methods: A quasi-experimental, one-group pretest–posttest design was used. Participants included 72 undergraduate and graduate students from nursing, occupational therapy, health administration, and counseling programs at a private university. Students engaged in a structured team-based activity emphasizing communication, collaboration, and cultural responsiveness in a mental health care context. Self-reported measures included the Interprofessional Collaborative Competency Attainment Survey (ICCAS) and the Cultural Competence Self-Assessment Checklist (CCSAC). Data were analyzed using the Wilcoxon Signed Rank Test.
Results: Significant improvements were observed in both interprofessional collaboration and cultural awareness (p < .001). Interprofessional Competence total scores increased from a pretest mean of 121.76 to a posttest mean of 131.17, while cultural awareness scores rose from 30.88 to 33.26. Effect sizes ranged from r = .46 to .64 across ICCAS subscales, with the largest gains in communication and the smallest in conflict management/resolution. Reliability estimates for all scales were excellent (Ω ≥ .90).
Conclusion: Results suggest a single-session mental health IPE event can enhance students’ perceived interprofessional competence and cultural awareness. The findings in this study demonstrate the value of interprofessional education on student outcomes.
How could this topic be generalized to other health professions?
Interprofessional training is an imperative component of health-related education that prepares students for interdisciplinary care delivery in a variety of medical and mental health settings. This intervention evidenced increases in student interprofessional collaboration competency and cultural awareness, highlighting that a brief single-session interprofessional training can enhance student outcomes and preparedness for interdisciplinary teamwork. This educational intervention can be applied across allied helping professions that interact within healthcare settings.
Which allied health professions were a part of the study or investigated?
Nursing; Health Studies; Occupational Therapy; Counseling
Recommended Citation
Whitbeck, M. A., Griffiths, C. A., Miller, W. F., Skoronski Chavez, L. M., Elrod, K., Forgione, A. M., Grippi, A. L., & Merchant, J. P. (2026). Evaluating Interprofessional and Cultural Competency: A Community-Mental Health Interprofessional Education Event. Journal of Interprofessional Practice and Collaboration, 6(2). Retrieved from https://repository.ulm.edu/ojihp/vol6/iss2/3
Included in
Counselor Education Commons, Health and Medical Administration Commons, Nursing Commons, Occupational Therapy Commons
