A training program designed to improve interprofessional knowledge, skills and attitudes in chronic disease settings.

For over 25 years, The Arthritis Program (TAP) at Southlake Regional Health Centre has worked within a successful interprofessional model. TAP recognized the need to teach its model and developed The Arthritis Program - Interprofessional Training Program (TAP-ITP). This pilot study evaluated perceptions of 22 TAP-ITP participants related to effectiveness and satisfaction. The study employed a longitudinal survey design and data were collected at the baseline (T1), post-program (T2), and at one year (T3) by use of the following instruments: W(e)Learn Program Assessment; Interprofessional (IP) Learner and Team Contracts; Interprofessional Collaborative Competencies Attainment Survey (ICCAS); Bruyère Clinical Team Self Assessment Scale; and Attitudes Toward Health Care Teams (ATHCT). Data analysis included descriptive, non-parametric and parametric tests. Results indicated participants were very satisfied with TAP-ITP. ICCAS scores revealed statistically significant differences (Wilcoxon rank sum tests) from T1 to T2 in perceptions of IPC competencies (p < 0.05). Paired t-tests for each T1 to post (T2 and T3) scores were all significant (p < 0.05) for each Bruyère subscale and overall scores. For ATHCT, paired t-tests for each T1 to T2 were significant for Quality of Care/Process (p = 0.04) and borderline significant for Physician Centrality scale (p = 0.06). At T3, improvement in both scales was maintained. This pilot study suggests that TAP-ITP improves self-assessed scores of knowledge and skills, as well as attitudes in interprofessional care post-program and sustained at one year.