Development, implementation, and early results of a 4-year interprofessional education curriculum

This article seeks to outline the implementation of a longitudinal interprofessional education (IPE) program in the predoctoral curriculum at a U.S. dental school. The challenges of implementing the curriculum in a complex environment are reviewed, and an overview of the 4-year curriculum is offered, including exposure, immersion, and clinical readiness components. Results of developmental evaluations are reviewed. Respondents to surveys regarding the capstone case conference experiences overwhelmingly suggest the conferences were educationally rewarding as well as enriching for each of the health professions represented. While response was limited, alumni surveys also indicate satisfaction with the IPE experience. A discussion of challenges and suggestions regarding successful implementation and expansion of IPE programs from didactic to clinical settings are also included.