Abstract
Background: Little is known about the impact of social or informal learning and whether or not this influences the outcomes of formal IPE learning.
Purpose: This study explored if and what students on a rural immersion IPE programme report regarding shared living arrangements.
Method: Independently gathered qualitative survey and focus group data with descriptive interpretive analysis.
Results: A qualitative survey question querying the most valuable aspects of the programme found many students highlighted the value of shared accommodation. There were five themes in the focus group data: Having fun together (yet learning); Formal learning through informal social interaction; Learning conflict resolution skills; It only goes so far: limitations to shared living arrangements; Not all living together has a negative impact.
Discussion: While only feasible in some IPE programmes, living together in shared accommodation appears to have a powerful impact on student learning and augments the formal IPE components.