A recent Interprofessional Learning (IPL) Conference brought together year three SAHPN students with their peers from Medicine, Dentistry, Dental Therapy and Veterinary Science for an afternoon full of creativity and collaborative learning.
The event was a fantastic success, thanks to the enthusiasm and leadership of our students, who worked alongside peers from other disciplines to plan and deliver the programme. Their input brought a genuine sense of ownership and excitement to the activities which helped shape an experience that was interactive and packed with fresh ideas.
Responding directly to student feedback from previous years, this year’s conference placed a stronger focus on clinical practice. Proceedings began with a thought-provoking debate on AI in patient-centred care, followed by a series of engaging sessions, including:
Cognitive Bias – helping students step into other professionals’ shoes
VR Bomb Disposal – described by students as “engaging”
The Belonging Game – hailed as a “great icebreaker”
AI Ethics Chatbots – which one participant called “fab!”
There was a fun, vibrant atmosphere throughout the afternoon, with students commenting on how much they enjoyed working across disciplines - and many declaring it “the best IPL day so far!”
Two SAHPN students, Manasik Al-Harassi (Therapeutic Radiography and Oncology) and Kaynat Asim (Orthoptics), also presented their own research during the proffered paper session and were recognised with prizes from Professor Louise Kenny for their outstanding contributions.
The students' feedback showed how engaging they found the event. They also highlighted how much they enjoyed learning about the roles of other health professionals and demonstrated their appreciation for the importance of continuing interprofessional learning alongside their Medicine, Dentistry, Dental Therapy and Veterinary peers.
A huge thank you to all the students and staff who helped make this year’s IPL Conference such a success!