Focus groups were conducted with alumni/ae of Saint Louis University’s health professions programs that participated in interprofessional education (IPE) curriculum. The purpose of the study was to assess the impact of longitudinal IPE on clinical practice behaviors and experiences across multiple health professions (occupational therapy, physical therapy, pharmacy, and medicine. Because IPE can occur at various time points across health professions education and training, this project was focused on understanding how and where individuals acquired and utilized training at different stages for collaborative clinical practice (e.g., during IPE experiences, clinical work, program-specific courses). Our focus group questions were guided by the 2016 Interprofessional Education Collaborative (IPEC) Core Competencies, such that they centered around participants’ knowledge of interprofessional roles and responsibilities, values and ethics, communication (with other professions and patients/families), and experiences with teams and teamwork. With limited research regarding longitudinal IPE outcomes, our study provides discussion of distal educational outcomes that contribute to improving patient care and community health through collaborative and informed health practice, as well as informing further longitudinal research. The presenter will share information regarding participant recruitment, data analysis, and an interprofessional faculty-centered collaborative report-out of the project. Furthermore, the presenter will discuss lessons learned and next steps regarding future research questions and opportunities for improving interprofessional education experiences. This project was funded through Saint Louis University’s SPARK Grant Program.
In support of improving patient care, this activity is planned and implemented by The National Center for Interprofessional Practice and Education. The National Center for Interprofessional Practice and Education is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.
As a Jointly Accredited Provider, the National Center is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved under this program. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. The National Center maintains responsibility for this course. Social workers completing this course receive continuing education credits.
This activity was planned by and for the healthcare team, and learners will receive Interprofessional Continuing Education (IPCE) credit for learning and change.
