Training in interprofessional collaboration: pedagogic innovation in family medicine units

A number of agencies that accredit university health sciences programs recently added standards for the acquisition of knowledge and skills with respect to interprofessional collaboration. Within primary care settings there are no practical training programs that allow students from different disciplines to develop competencies in this area.

The training program was developed within family medicine units affiliated with Université Laval in Quebec for family medicine residents and trainees from various disciplines to develop competencies in patient-centred, interprofessional collaborative practice in primary care.

Based on adult learning theories, the program was divided into 3 phases--preparing family medicine unit professionals, training preceptors, and training the residents and trainees. The program's pedagogic strategies allowed participants to learn with, from, and about one another while preparing them to engage in contemporary primary care practices. A combination of quantitative and qualitative methods was used to evaluate the implementation process and the immediate results of the training program.

The training program had a positive effect on both the clinical settings and the students. Preparation of clinical settings is an important issue that must be considered when planning practical interprofessional training.