Evaluating Interprofessional Education Integration in Nursing Curricula: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Interprofessional Education (IPE) is a cornerstone of modern nursing education, fostering collaboration among healthcare professionals to enhance patient-centered care. Structured integration of IPE into nursing curricula is essential to equip students with the teamwork and communication skills required by increasingly complex healthcare systems.This study assessed the current state of IPE integration in nursing curricula and explored students' perceptions of its role in teamwork, communication, and patient care.A cross-sectional design was employed involving 200 nursing students and faculty from public and private nursing colleges. Data were collected through structured questionnaires covering demographics, IPE exposure, and attitudes toward IPE. Descriptive statistics and correlational analysis were used to evaluate the relationship between IPE exposure and perceived teamwork competencies. Ethical approval was obtained, and confidentiality and voluntary participation were ensured throughout.Participants expressed strong agreement that IPE improves patient care (mean = 3.19) and should be embedded in clinical training (mean = 3.09, p = 0.002). Moderate agreement was recorded for teamwork, institutional support, and communication skills (means approximately 3.0, p < 0.05), while faculty training (mean = 2.93, p = 0.09) and IPE's contribution to problem-solving (mean = 2.84, p = 0.08) received comparatively weaker support.While nursing students broadly recognize the value of IPE, exposure remains inconsistent and institutional and faculty readiness lag behind. Structured curricular integration, faculty development, and sustained institutional commitment are needed to realize IPE's full benefit for collaborative, patient-centered care.