Evaluation of impact of Interprofessional education module regarding dentistry on medical students: A Cross Sectional Study

Health care is a complex issue, requiring an interdisciplinary approach from different specialties to have better outcomes. Medicine and dentistry need to collaborate effectively in many instances. Many systemic diseases have oral manifestations and many dental procedures require help from medical professionals such as emergencies in dental office, trauma, etc. Such collaborative approach requires inter professional knowledge which will in turn lead to improved practice outcome. However, in the present curriculum there is lack of proper training to boost such collaborative practices. Therefore, it was deemed necessary to develop and evaluate one such inter professional education module for medical students regarding dental specialty. The final year MBBS students (n=96) who were posted in the dental departments were exposed to an interactive session using power-point presentation on an overview of dentistry as well as case discussions. Evaluation was done on the basis of difference between pre & post-test (Multiple Choice Questions) scores and pre-validated feedback questionnaire. The mean scores before the intervention was 14.6 (SD± 3). Mean scores post intervention was 19.88 (SD± 5). Statistical analysis was done using chi square test. The values were X2= 14.4, p=0.0001. The present module on inter professional education was perceived positively by the students and it was effective in improving the cognitive knowledge of final MBBS students.