Development of client-centredness: perceptions of interprofessional healthcare students

Loading...
Thumbnail Image
Date
2019-08
Authors
Blanco, Denyse Dawn
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
Statement of the Problem It is essential to develop client-centred knowledge, skills, attitudes and values as healthcare providers strive to participate in interprofessional (IP) collaborative practice and provide high-quality health care (Canadian Interprofessional Health Collaborative, 2010). Limited research exists to help educators understand how to support healthcare student development of client-centredness. This study aimed to advance an understanding of the development of client-centredness from the perspective of pre-licensure healthcare students. Methods In this interpretive description study, six students from various professional health disciplines engaged in a series of three focus groups over the course of five months to explore students’ classroom and practice experiences with client-centredness. Focus groups were digitally audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Focus group data were inductively analysed using thematic analysis and findings were sent to participants for member-checking. Results This study revealed four themes which iteratively built upon each other. The themes were (a) scaffolding existing components of professional education programs form a base for client-centred development, (b) an evolutionary process to internalizing client-centredness, (c) IP discussion with stories enhances client-centred development, and (d) a reflective process to developing client-centredness. Conclusions Reflective healthcare students benefit from in-person, open discussion opportunities to learn with, from and about each other in an interprofessional education (IPE) context as they internalize client-centredness and move beyond the knowledge and skill-based foundations provided to them by their individual professional education programs. Knowledge gained in this study may help academic- and clinical-educators to better understand the client-centred development process so they can support graduates entering the health system as enhanced IP client-centred care providers.
Description
Keywords
Client-centredness, Interprofessional, Healthcare students
Citation
APA