Components of Interprofessional Education Programs in Neonatal Medicine: A Focused BEME Review: BEME Guide No. 73

A review of the components, results and effect of interprofessional education (IPE) programs in neonatal medicine informed the Best Evidence Medical Education (BEME) Guide No. 73. The BEME guidance and the STORIES (STructured apprOach to the Reporting in health education of Evidence Synthesis) statement framed the results. After conducting a search of four online databases and MedEdPublish, the authors included 17 studies on neonatal medicine IPE, primarily in North America. Learners included nurses, respiratory therapists, neonatal nurse practitioners, patient care technicians, parents, early interventionists, physicians and medical trainees. A risk of bias assessment in reporting indicated poor reporting of resources and instructor training. Instruction techniques included simulation with debriefing, didactics and online instruction. Seventy-six percent of the studies cited level 1 Kirkpatrick outcomes, while 23% reported level 3 or 4 outcomes. Challenges identified in the review included leadership acceptance and the negative effects of hierarchy among the learners. The authors found reporting on IPE program development and instructor training lacking. "Future work should address long-term knowledge and skill retention and impact on patient outcomes and organizations," they recommend.

Read More