The knowledge, attitudes and perceptions of healthcare students and professionals regarding the interdisciplinary health worker team at Stellenbosch University and Tygerberg Academic Hospital

  • Nadia Booysen Stellenbosch University
  • Janice Lake Stellenbosch University
  • Jessica Webb Stellenbosch University
  • Evette van Niekerk Stellenbosch University
  • Claudia Schübl Stellenbosch University
Keywords: knowledge, attitudes, perceptions, interdisciplinary team

Abstract

Objective: To determine the knowledge, attitudes and perceptions of healthcare students and qualified health professionals regarding the interdisciplinary health worker team. Design: A cross-sectional descriptive study. Setting: Stellenbosch University (Tygerberg Campus) and Tygerberg Academic Hospital, Western Cape. Subjects: The sample (n = 529) consisted of first-year students, final-year students and working professionals in the fields of medicine, dietetics, physiotherapy, occupational therapy and speech-language and hearing therapy. Outcome measures: Self-administered, face-validated questionnaire. Results: There was an increase in knowledge in the final-year students when compared to the first-year students of their understanding of each profession. However, this improvement was not apparent when the working professionals’ understanding was compared to the finalyear students. The results indicated an increase in understanding of the scope of practice of allied health sciences (p-value = 0.001), and agreement that the patient would always benefit from an interdisciplinary approach. It was found that better patient prognosis was strongly associated with the care provided by an interdisciplinary team. This association increased from first-year students to final-year students (p-value = 0.019). Doctors were considered to be most valuable in the interdisciplinary team. The allied health sciences received comparable value ratings. The more advanced the years of experience, the less comfortable participants were to assume some of the roles of another discipline. Knowledge of the role of the dietitian increased from first-year students to final-year students (p-value = 0.001), but it remained the same for the professionals. Conclusion: There was an increase in knowledge and a positive change in the attitudes and perceptions of healthcare students and professionals in accordance with years of experience.

Author Biographies

Nadia Booysen, Stellenbosch University
BScDietetics, RD(SA) District Dietitian Northern Cape
Janice Lake, Stellenbosch University
BScDietetics, RD(SA) Dietitian Livingstone Hospital PE Hospital Complex
Jessica Webb, Stellenbosch University
BScDietetics, RD(SA) Dietitian Andries Vosloo Hospital
Evette van Niekerk, Stellenbosch University
MSc Dietetics Lecturer Division of Human Nutrition Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences Stellenbosch University
Claudia Schübl, Stellenbosch University
BNutrition Assistant Director Division of Human Nutrition Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences Tygerberg Academic Hospital and Stellenbosch University
Published
2012-09-17
How to Cite
Booysen, N., Lake, J., Webb, J., van Niekerk, E., & Schübl, C. (2012). The knowledge, attitudes and perceptions of healthcare students and professionals regarding the interdisciplinary health worker team at Stellenbosch University and Tygerberg Academic Hospital. South African Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 25(4), 192-196. Retrieved from http://sajcn.co.za/index.php/SAJCN/article/view/561
Section
Original Research