An Evaluation of Interprofessional Education in the Teaching of Dental Technology

View/ Open
Author(s)
Primary Supervisor
Henderson, Amanda
Other Supervisors
Johnson, Newell
Year published
2011
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
It is now fifteen years since Australia’s National Health and Medical
Research Council called for a collaborative approach to the education of dental
health professionals. In spite of this, challenges remain in improving the
cohesiveness of the oral health team. While the potential value of
interprofessional education is strongly asserted by various stakeholders, in
reality a paradigm shift still needs to occur at educational, professional and
organisational levels. To contribute to the limited knowledge in the field of
dental technology education, this research compares the attitudes and
perceptions of dental technology ...
View more >It is now fifteen years since Australia’s National Health and Medical Research Council called for a collaborative approach to the education of dental health professionals. In spite of this, challenges remain in improving the cohesiveness of the oral health team. While the potential value of interprofessional education is strongly asserted by various stakeholders, in reality a paradigm shift still needs to occur at educational, professional and organisational levels. To contribute to the limited knowledge in the field of dental technology education, this research compares the attitudes and perceptions of dental technology students and graduates from two different curricula about collaborative working as a member of an oral health team. Differences in curriculum structure and content between the Technical and Further Education (TAFE) and University sectors were analysed in relation to the extant literature on interprofessional education. A mixed method approach then explored attitudes and readiness of students and graduates for collaborative professional practice. Both quantitative and qualitative approaches were used. Cross-sectional data were collected from participants during and after the completion of the Bachelor of Oral Health in Dental Technology at Griffith University, Gold Coast, and Diploma of Dental Technology at Southbank Institute of Technology, Brisbane. Third and fifth year dental students at Griffith University were also included, as exemplars of other members of the oral health team who learn alongside dental technology students.
View less >
View more >It is now fifteen years since Australia’s National Health and Medical Research Council called for a collaborative approach to the education of dental health professionals. In spite of this, challenges remain in improving the cohesiveness of the oral health team. While the potential value of interprofessional education is strongly asserted by various stakeholders, in reality a paradigm shift still needs to occur at educational, professional and organisational levels. To contribute to the limited knowledge in the field of dental technology education, this research compares the attitudes and perceptions of dental technology students and graduates from two different curricula about collaborative working as a member of an oral health team. Differences in curriculum structure and content between the Technical and Further Education (TAFE) and University sectors were analysed in relation to the extant literature on interprofessional education. A mixed method approach then explored attitudes and readiness of students and graduates for collaborative professional practice. Both quantitative and qualitative approaches were used. Cross-sectional data were collected from participants during and after the completion of the Bachelor of Oral Health in Dental Technology at Griffith University, Gold Coast, and Diploma of Dental Technology at Southbank Institute of Technology, Brisbane. Third and fifth year dental students at Griffith University were also included, as exemplars of other members of the oral health team who learn alongside dental technology students.
View less >
Thesis Type
Thesis (PhD Doctorate)
Degree Program
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
School
School of Dentistry and Oral Health
Copyright Statement
The author owns the copyright in this thesis, unless stated otherwise.
Item Access Status
Public
Note
This thesis has been scanned
Subject
Dental health professionals education
Australia's National Health and Medical Research Council
Dental education curriculum
Oral health education
Teaching dental technology