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Interprofessional Education (IPE) and Collaborative Practice
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. Interprofessional education is a necessary step in preparing a “collaborative
practice-ready” health workforce that is better prepared to respond to local health needs.
A collaborative practice-ready health worker is someone who has learned how to work in an interprofessional team and is competent
to do so. Collaborative practice happens when multiple health workers from different professional backgrounds work together
with patients, families, carers and communities to deliver the highest quality of care. It allows health workers to engage
any individual whose skills can help achieve local health goals.
'Health worker' is a wholly inclusive term which refers to all people engaged in actions whose primary intent is to enhance
health. Included in this definition are those who promote and preserve health, those who diagnose and treat disease, health
management and support workers, professionals with discrete/ unique areas of competence, whether regulated or non-regulated,
conventional or complementary. 'Professional' is an all-encompassing term that includes individuals with the knowledge
and/or skills to contribute to the physical, mental and social well-being of a community.
Source: World Health Organization (2010): Framework for Action on Interprofessional Education & Collaborative
Practice
- Effective Interprofessional Education:
- Works to improve the Quality of Care
No one profession, working in isolation, has the expertise to respond adequately and effectively to the complexity of many
service users' needs and so to ensure that care is safe, seamless and holistic to the highest possible standard.
- Focuses on the needs of service users and carer-givers
IPE puts the interests of service users and carer-givers at the centre of learning and practice.
- Involves service users and carer-givers
More than that, it invites service users and carer-givers to be active participants in planning, delivering, assessing
and evaluating IPE, participation that helps to ensure that services meet the needs of those for whom they are designed.
- Encourages professions to learn with, from and about each other
IPE is more than common learning, valuable though that is to introduce shared concepts, skills, language and perspectives
that establish common ground for interprofessional practice. It is also comparative, collaborative and interactive, a test-bed
for interprofessional practice, taking into account respective roles and responsibilities, skills and knowledge, powers
and duties, value systems and codes of conduct, opportunities and constraints. This cultivates mutual trust and respect,
acknowledging differences, dispelling prejudice and rivalry and confronting misconceptions and stereotypes.
- Respects the integrity and contribution of each profession.
IPE is grounded in mutual respect. Participants, whatever the differences in their status in the workplace, are
equal as learners. They celebrate and utilise the distinctive experience and expertise that participants bring from their
respective professional fields.
- Enhances practice within professions
Each profession gains a deeper understanding of its own practice and how it can complement and reinforce that
of others. This is endorsed where the IPE carries credit towards professional awards and counts towards career progression.
- Increases professional satisfaction
IPE cultivates collaborative practice where mutual support eases occupational stress, either by setting limits
on the demands made on any one profession or by ensuring that cross-professional support and guidance are provided if and
when added responsibilities are shouldered.
Source: CAIPE 2002 (UK Centre for the Advancement of Interprofessional Education)
For further information please contact:
Gary
Kapelus, Professor and Coordinator, Interprofessional Education,
Email:
Return to: Interprofessional Education (IPE) documents
Return to: Interprofessional
Education (IPE) at George Brown College
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