According to the World Health Organization 2010 definition, “Interprofessional education occurs when students from two or more professions learn about, from and with each other to enable collaboration and improve health outcomes.” A recent expert panel of the Interprofessional Education Collaborative created Core Competencies for Interprofessional Collaborative Practice (IPCP) that cover four key areas of capability:
Values & Ethics for Interprofessional Collaborative Practice
Roles & Responsibilities
Communications with Patients
Effective Performance in Teams Here is a link to more information about the core competencies:
http://www.adea.org/about_adea/default/Pages/HealthEducators,FoundationsAnnounce.aspx
The drivers for increased IPCP are controlling cost of health care, improving quality and safety, and population health. What is apparent is the health systems and the health sciences education systems do not overlap enough to address these drivers. I recently spent a weekend attending a national meeting of dental deans entitled Leading Change Through Interprofessional Education. Although IPE is not a new idea and this idea seems to gain and then lose steam over time, dental education accreditation standards have changed and now will require IPE experiences for dental students. This is ultimately focused on improving patient health through more coordinated and integrated care. The educational challenge is creating and scheduling meaningful and authentic experiences for student. The challenge for practice implementation is that existing dental practice patterns have strong support to not change and are not arranged for inclusion of interprofessional practice. The future of dental education and practice is certainly not what it used to be. We will need a bigger sandbox!
To give you a sense on the program content here are the titles and speakers from the conference:
Change the Health Care System or Education: Which Comes First? Madeline Schmitt, Professor Emerita, University of Rochester School of Nursing
IPE in the Context of Evolving Models of Dental Education: Potential Impact on Curriculum and Practice. Marsha Pyle, Dean, University of Missouri-Kansas City School of Dentistry
The Role of IPE in Integrating Health Professions Education and Practice. Wendy Mouradian, Associate Dean for Regional Affairs and Curriculum, and Director of Regional Initiatives in Dental Education, University of Washington. Dr. Mouradian is a pediatrician by training
The ABC’s of Interprofessional Education Collaborative Practice. Barbara Brandt, Associate Vice President for Education, University of Minnesota; John Gilbert, Principal & Professor Emeritus, College of Health Disciplines, University of British Columbia; Judith Buchanan, Interim Dean, University of Minnesota School of Dentistry (Check out 1Health at University of Minnesota http://www.ahc.umn.edu/1health/)
Leading Change: Moving the Cheese. IPE in Action. Tony Iacopino, Dean, University of Manitoba Faculty of Dentistry; Ruby Grymonpre, Interprofessional Education Coordinator, University of Manitoba