Potential best practices for assessment of interprofessional team-ready behaviors on APPEs

Introduction: To determine potential best practices for assessment of team-ready behaviors of pharmacy students participating in interprofessional advanced pharmacy practice experiences (APPEs).

Methods: Preceptors received training on two interprofessional behavioral assessment tools, the modified interprofessional collaborator assessment rubric (mICAR) and individual teamwork observation and feedback tool (iTOFT). Preceptors evaluated students at midpoint and end of APPE using each tool. Preceptors completed a utility survey on each tool to determine a preference. Focus groups were conducted with a subset of preceptors to elicit further perspectives. Experts in interprofessional education (IPE) and accrediting board members were interviewed to determine a national perspective of best practices.

Results: Nineteen preceptors participated in the study. Of these, 12 completed all components of the study. No significant difference was found comparing utility of mICAR to iTOFT, although mICAR trended toward being easier to use/understand (p = 0.29). Focus group participants (n = 8) felt using a tool led to enhanced feedback and interprofessional experiences and all preferred mICAR. IPE experts and accrediting board members perceived best practices to include using a tool that aligns with IPE collaborative competencies, embedding the tool into existing APPE evaluation processes, and that is applicable to all health professional learners/evaluators.

Conclusions: Preceptors preferred mICAR to iTOFT, though no significant difference was observed. Additional research is needed to confirm these results and for best practices to emerge. Future steps include evaluating interprofessional teamwork using a tool in a 360-evaluation of the individual learner by preceptors outside of the learner's own profession.