Perceptions of Interprofessional Collaboration in Managing HPV-Related Oropharyngeal Cancer: Implications for Interprofessional Education

Medical education is placing increasing importance on interprofessional education, but there are generally limited instances where interprofessional activities are scheduled for both medical and dental students. This study aimed to assess medical and dental trainees’ and practitioners’ perceptions of barriers and facilitators to interprofessional collaboration on the topic of HPV-related oropharyngeal cancer (OPC).

Senior medical and dental students, family medicine residents, physicians, and dentists were invited to participate in focus groups to discuss OPC as it relates to their interprofessional collaboration experiences after a networking reception, dinner, and lecture. Focus group audio recordings were transcribed and analysis followed a descriptive qualitative research approach.

Twenty-nine participants (n = 9 medical and n = 20 dental) were included across seven focus groups. Participants described structural and educational factors that discouraged collaboration, including communication and referral challenges, a lack of role clarity, and inadequate interprofessional connections. Participants expressed a desire to forge a strong interprofessional alliance through interprofessional education events, improved use of technology for communication, and curricular changes. When these strategies were available, participants perceived significant benefits to patient care.

Strong collaboration is valued highly among medical and dental professionals for providing patient care, yet interprofessional education is needed to build a foundation that fosters collaborative practices and overcomes barriers. Implementing interprofessional experiences early, regularly, and within the curriculum may improve role clarity and communication, ultimately enhancing care for HPV-OPC patients and other patients.