Promoting interprofessional education

The work of the Institute of Medicine and others has clearly demonstrated that when healthcare professionals understand each others' roles and are able to communicate and work effectively together, patients are more likely to receive safe, quality care. Currently, there are few opportunities to bring faculty and students in pre-licensure programs from multiple disciplines together for the purpose of learning together about each others' roles, and practicing collaboration and teamwork. Designing and implementing interprofessional education offerings is challenging. Course scheduling, faculty interest and expertise in interprofessional education (IPE), a culture of IPE among faculty and students, and institutional policies for sharing course credit among schools are just a few of the challenges. This article explores the concept of IPE, and how faculty in schools of nursing might take the lead to work with colleagues in other health profession schools to prepare graduates to understand each others' roles, and the importance of teamwork, communication, and collaboration to the delivery of high quality, safe patient care.