Interprofessional Education

According to the World Health Organization (WHO, 2010), 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.

World Health Organization (WHO). (2010). Framework for action on interprofessional education & collaborative practice. Geneva: World Health Organization.

Interprofessional Education includes four (4) interprofessional collaborative practice competencies*:

Values/Ethics for Interprofessional Practice: Work with individuals of other professions to maintain a climate of mutual respect and shared values.

Roles/Responsibilities: Use the knowledge of one’s own role and those of other professions to appropriately assess and address the healthcare needs of the patients and populations served.

Interprofessional Communication: Communicate with patients, families, communities, and other health professionals in a responsive and responsible manner that supports a team approach to the maintenance of health and the treatment of disease.

Teams and Teamwork: Apply relationship-building values and the principles of team dynamics to
perform effectively in different team roles to plan and deliver patient-/population-centered care that is safe, timely, efficient, effective, and equitable.

*Adapted from Interprofessional Education Collaborative Expert Panel. (2011). Core competencies for interprofessional collaborative practice: Report of an expert panel. Washington, D.C.: Interprofessional Education Collaborative.

Since 2016, the Interprofessional Education Committee (Rock IPE) has aimed to train healthcare workers who are committed to providing team-based, patient-centered care. Making IPE a priority has added to the quality of SRU's healthcare education programs by providing excellent educational opportunities that teach students from different professions to work effectively in a team, communicate productively, and understand each other's roles.

Mission, Vision, and Goals

Mission:

The mission of Rock IPE is to enhance the preparation of highly competent professionals to improve health and wellness outcomes by asserting collaboration, communication, teamwork, and ethical values through shared educational experiences and clinical practice.

Strategic Vision:

A community of caring professionals who are leaders in collaborative practice and are focused on health, wellness, and quality patient-centered care.

Goals:

• Advance awareness of interprofessional education/practice in accordance with
  the University’s Strategic Plan.
  • Build assessment and evaluation components of IPE at Slippery Rock
    University of Pennsylvania (SRU) and make results available to the
    University community
• Develop, support, and execute interprofessional education activities for students and faculty.
  
  • TeamSTEPPS® Training
• Incorporate interprofessional education strategies into the health professions programs to strengthen student learning and meet accreditation standards
• Contribute to the evidence-based body of knowledge related to IPE.

Our Approach

Since its inception, Rock IPE has been actively incorporating interprofessional education into
the health professions programs at SRU. We plan to continue, and build upon, our efforts to
design and implement learning experiences that will:

• Provide the health professions students with learning opportunities beyond their
  own discipline
• Enhance the discipline-specific skills of the future healthcare workforce by providing first-hand experience in collaborative patient-centered care
• Give the students a broader understanding of their own professional scope of practice, as well as that of other health professions
• Illustrate how collaboration and teamwork among healthcare providers improves patient outcomes

Rock IPE, Participating Programs and Committee Members

The Rock IPE Committee is composed of faculty representatives from all health professions
programs across the university. Committee members are dedicated to providing students with
IPE experiences that facilitate an appreciation of the diverse knowledge and perspectives
inherent in interprofessional teams that enhance patient care and improve patient outcomes.

Athletic Training 
Bonnie Siple
Jackie Williams

Counseling & Development 
Chris Cubero

Exercise Science 
Amy Rickman

Health Care Administration 
Natalie Dick
David Jordan

Music Therapy Undergraduate 
Music Therapy Graduate
Nicole Hahna
Vern Miller

Nursing
Michele Crytzer
Christina Silva (Co-Chair)

Occupational Therapy
Melissa Luchynski
Kenneth Reichl

Physical Therapy 
Joseph Fiedor
Kelsey Hill

Physician Assistant Program
Heather Fritz
Elise Somers

Psychology
Jennifer Sanftner McGraw
Christina Esposito

Public Health
Joseph Robare

Recreational Therapy
Heather Bright
Betsy Kemeny (Co-Chair)

Social Work 
Kristie Abbs

Engineering & Science Pre-Professional
Amber Eade