Cypriot Journal of Educational
Sciences
Volume 15, Issue 6, (2020) 1454-1463
www.cjes.eu
Readiness for interprofessional education amongst students at
public and private Medical Universities in Malaysia
Soe Soe Aye
a*
, Asia Metropolitan University, Johor, Malaysia https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7528-6056
Mohd Azhar Mohd Noor
b
, National Defence University of Malaysia https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9288-9393
Roy Rillera Marzo
c
, Asia Metropolitan University, Johor, Malaysia https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9414-4010
Thein Win Naing
d
, Asia Metropolitan University, Johor, Malaysia
Nor Anith Mohd Azhar
e
National Defence University of Malaysia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2911-3303
Suggested Citation:
Aye, S.S.; Noor, M.A.M, Marzo, R.R.; Naing, T.W. & Nor Anith, M.A (2020). Readiness for interprofessional
education amongst students at public and private Medical Universities in Malaysia. Cypriot Journal of
Educational Science. 15(6), 1454-1463. https://doi.org/10.18844/cjes.v15i6.5284
Received from April 20, 2020; Revised July 27,2020 ; September 1, 2020.
Selection and peer review under responsibility of Prof. Dr. Huseyin Uzunboylu, Higher Education Planning,
Supervision, Accreditation and Coordination Board, Cyprus.
©
2020 Birlesik Dunya Yenilik Arastirma ve Yayincilik Merkezi. All rights reserved.
Abstract
Background and Aims: Interprofessional Education (IPE) is a vital academic blueprint for preparing future doctors to provide
patient-centered collaborative approach to care best integrated health services. This study aimed to evaluate the awareness
and readiness of Malaysian medical students towards interprofessional education. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional
study carried out using a questionnaire survey: The Readiness of Interprofessional Learning Scale (RIPLS). A convenience
sampling method was employed. The sample was drawn from undergraduate students enrolled in year 1 to 5 of medical
program in two medical universities. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the data. Results: The RIPLS
was completed by 361 medical students who valued the importance of IPE. The students mentioned that shared learning
with other healthcare professional students will increase their ability to understand clinical problems. The students also
specified that team-working skills are essential for all healthcare students to learn. However, there were differences between
students of different years of study in their perception and readiness toward IPE. Conclusion: Our findings indicate that
undergraduate-health-care students have high perception and readiness towards IPE, however important differences in
baseline readiness emerged according to year-level. These findings suggest that educators consider baseline attitudes of
students when designing interprofessional education curricula. The implication of this awareness and readiness to practice
IPL will create a more concert and harmony workspace to the healthcare professionals.
Keywords: Interprofessional education, Interprofessional learning, readiness, RIPLS, medical education
*
ADDRESS FOR CORRESPONDENCE: Soe Soe Aye, Asia Metropolitan University, Johor, Malaysia
E-mail address: profsoe@amu.edu.my