The Slow Creep Back: Threats and Opportunities for IPE Posed by COVID-19

Interprofessional education (IPE) prepares current and future health care professionals for interprofessional collaborative practice (IPCP). IPCP results in increased quality of care demanded by patients and reimbursed in value-based care models when appropriately operationalized. The COVID-19 pandemic forced rapid and unprecedented changes in higher education and healthcare, although the impact on IPE delivery in the U.S. is unknown. Analyses of qualitative survey data collected from U.S. IPE leaders (n = 21) identified the impact and challenges of the pandemic on IPE programs. Three primary themes emerged: transition to a virtual environment, uncertainties and fears regarding finance and program sustainability, and opportunities for improvements in programming, delivery, instructional design, experiential learning, and assessment. Programs faced existential pandemic-related challenges. Concurrently, the pandemic accelerated innovation in IPE curricula, illuminated opportunities for IPE to improve the work life of healthcare providers, and raised awareness of the need to extend the Quadruple Aim to eliminate health inequities.