Preparing tomorrow's doctors and nurses. A study to inform the development of interprofessional education for undergraduate medical and nursing students

Indeed, as will be seen, even its definition has proven contentious. Current research about the purpose and the processes of IPE and evidence to support the case for its future development offer an inconclusive, and at times contradictory, picture. nevertheless, Government, and professional regulatory bodies, as well as representatives of education providers have all acknowledged that IPE must be given a role in the education of healthcare professional .

IPE is an area that demands further research to support (or refute) the contention that it should be an integral part of healthcare curricula. This is particularly important where programmes involve medical and nursing students and are at undergraduate level. <br><br>This thesis has two inter-related aims:<br>1. To identify and explore key issues to inform the development of an IPE programme for undergradute medical and nursing students.<br>This aim will be achieved by means of a review of the relevant literature and two exploratory research studies.<br>.<br>2.