What is Interprofessional Education (IPE)?

Interprofessional education occurs when students from two or more professions learn about, from, and with each other to enable effective collaboration and improve health outcomes. Once students understand how to work interprofessionally, they are ready to enter the workplace as a member of the collaborative practice team. This is a key step in moving health systems from fragmentation to a position of strength.ā€¯Source: World Health Organization (WHO). (2010). Framework for action on interprofessional education & collaborative practice. Geneva: World Health Organization.


IPEC Four Competencies

The Interprofessional Education Collaborative (IPEC) has identified four core competencies that are paramount to Interprofessional Education and Collaborative Practice. These skills are fostered in interprofessional settings that ultimately lead to better outcomes in patient health. Source: Interprofessional Education Collaborative. (2016). Core competencies for interprofessional collaborative practice: 2016 update. Washington, DC: Interprofessional Education Collaborative.

1 VALUES AND ETHICS

2 ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

3 INTERPROFESSIONAL COMMUNICATION

4 TEAMS AND TEAMWORK


health professionals talking

Collaboration for Success

During interprofessional education activities, students work with individuals of other professions to maintain mutual respect and shared values. Students use their knowledge of their own roles as well as those of other professions to appropriately assess and address the health needs of patients and communities. Students communicate with patients, families and communities in a responsive and responsible manner that supports a team approach to the promotion of health, and prevention and treatment of disease. Students apply relationship building values and teamwork principles to effectively perform their in roles to plan, deliver and evaluate patient-centered care and promote health for individuals and communities.