Experiences of students and health care professionals from an interprofessional HIV training workshop: a mixed-method study.

Abstract

In the context of sub-Saharan Africa's ongoing HIV epidemic and the growing burden of chronic comorbidities, healthcare delivery increasingly requires coordinated, interprofessional care. However, fragmented service provision, especially in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), affects patient outcomes. This study evaluates the implementation of a two-day Interprofessional Education (IPE) intervention aimed at enhancing collaborative competencies among final-year health professions education (HPE) students and early-career healthcare professionals in Botswana. Using a sequential explanatory mixed-methods design, the study assessed the self-perceived competencies of 129 HPE students and 62 health care professionals using the Interprofessional Collaborative Competency Attainment Scale (ICCAS) and conducted 15 follow-up interviews 3 months post-intervention. Quantitative findings from pre- and post-training responses demonstrated statistically significant improvements (p < .001) across all six ICCAS domains: communication, collaboration, roles and responsibilities, collaborative patient/family-centeredness, conflict resolution, and team functioning. Median changes were greatest in team functioning and patient-centered care domains. Qualitative data from 15 interviews corroborated these findings, revealing enhanced communication, mutual respect across professional roles, and increased readiness for interdisciplinary collaboration. However, participants also cited persistent ambiguities in role clarification and challenges in sustaining collaborative behaviors post-training. Embedding IPE within continuing professional development frameworks could reinforce sustained collaboration and address structural challenges unique to LMICs. This study contributes to the limited empirical literature on IPE implementation in resource-constrained settings and supports calls for intentional, systemic investment in interprofessional training to advance patient-centered, team-based HIV care.