I recently had a conversation with two top collaborative researchers. They attributed a significant part of their success to learning each other’s working languages and developing a shared vocabulary. Interprofessional education (IPE) gives our students the advantage of learning the roles and languages of other health care fields and practicing the communication skills needed for seamless teamwork.
We know health care teams have advantages in providing patient care—improving safety, quality, and outcomes, and lowering costs—both for individuals and populations. There is evidence that they can enhance provider wellbeing. By combining our different skills, experiences, and backgrounds, teams help us meet the needs of our diverse patient population more equitably.
Here are some of the ways we are ensuring our graduates have the skills to perform and succeed in health care teams:
- Centralizing student placement tracking to coordinate locations and timing of learners across all health science programs
- Using data-informed analyses of learner placement patterns
- Expanding authentic, structured IPE opportunities in the clinical learning environment
- Bridging health sciences programs/colleges/schools to collaboratively determine learner needs and build greater equity in accessing relevant IPE opportunities
- Exploring multi-system health care collaborations in rural areas across Minnesota
- Developing future IPE leaders through the OACA Interprofessional Internship Program
- Enhancing existing academic-clinical/community partnerships
- Promoting a culture of engagement and recognition of interprofessional practice excellence in clinical/community partner sites
Interprofessional education broadens learner understanding of the interwoven nature of health systems and the complex social determinants that impact care planning and delivery. The case for IPE is undeniable, and we want to learn from your interprofessional education experiences. What are your stories of successes or missed opportunities, and what are your suggestions for improvement?
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