Developing an interprofessional research infrastructure at a mid-sized liberal arts university

Area of Science:

• Higher Education
• Interprofessional Education and Practice (IPEP)

Background:

• Universities face challenges in supporting interdisciplinary research and education.
• Integrating diverse academic fields requires strategic planning and infrastructure development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe mechanisms for growing interprofessional research and scholarship.
• To offer a guide for integrating interprofessional education into university programs.
• To provide suggestions for establishing a supportive research infrastructure.

Main Methods:

• The guide details a creative, multi-stakeholder approach.
• It illustrates integration strategies across university departments.
• Suggestions are provided for developing an internal grants program.

Main Results:

• A comprehensive approach to interprofessional education and practice (IPEP) is presented.
• Strategies for aligning research infrastructure with institutional values are offered.
• Key takeaways are provided for faculty and higher education practitioners.

Conclusions:

• Implementing a structured approach can foster interprofessional research and scholarship.
• Internal grants and supportive infrastructure are crucial for academic collaboration.
• This guide offers a practical model for academic institutions.