Work

Perception and readiness of health professions students about interprofessional education in Kuwait

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Interprofessional education (IPE) is important for developing interdisciplinary partnerships that improve healthcare delivery. IPE is currently not a common practice in healthcare professions (HP) programs in Middle Eastern countries. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to assess the perceptions and attitudes of HP students toward IPE across multiple programs at Kuwait. METHODS: This was an exploratory, cross-sectional, quantitative, comparative study of 1,162 full-time HP program students ≥ 18 years old. The Interdisciplinary Education Perception Scale (IEPS) and Readiness for Interprofessional Learning Scale (RIPLS) were utilized. RESULTS: IEPS scores were significantly different among different years of study (p = 0.027). RIPLS scores were significantly different among different academic HP programs (p = 0.042). The IEPS subscales, perception of actual cooperation and perceived need for cooperation, were significantly different among different HP programs (p = 0.005). RIPLS subscales, teamwork and collaboration (p = 0.024), and roles and responsibilities (p = 0.016), were shown to be significantly different among academic years. CONCLUSION: Higher IEPS scores among upper-year students emphasize the role of clinical exposure in enhancing perceptions of interdisciplinary collaboration, while RIPLS results suggest that program-specific curricula shape readiness for interprofessional practice. These findings underscore the need for structured IPE experiences tailored to academic stages and professional contexts to prepare collaborative healthcare professionals.

Source: BMC Medical Education

DOI: 10.1186/s12909-026-08622-z

Authors: Anwar B. Almutairi, Yasmeen Mezil, Zainab A. Jasem, Bruce Wainman

Institutions: Kuwait University, Alfaisal University, McMaster University

Language: English

Topic: Interprofessional Education and Collaboration

Subfield: General Health Professions

Field: Health Professions

Domain: Health Sciences

SDGs: Quality education, Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $2,990