Twelve tips to promote interprofessional workplace learning for medical trainees

Area of Science:

• Medical Education
• Interprofessional Collaboration
• Workplace Learning

Background:

• Medical trainees require guidance for clinical practice learning.
• Supervising physicians are key, but other health professionals (HPs) also interact with trainees.
• HPs are often overlooked as educational resources, and their influence may be unrecognized or unsupported.

Purpose of the Study:

• To promote interprofessional workplace learning.
• To provide practical strategies for engaging trainees, physicians, HPs, and educational programs.
• To address the missed opportunities in interprofessional guidance.

Main Methods:

• The article synthesizes theory and empirical work.
• It presents twelve practical tips for different stakeholders.
• Strategies are tailored for trainees, supervising physicians, HPs, and educational program leaders.

Main Results:

• Tips for trainees focus on broadening learning goals and guidance sources.
• Physician-focused tips include modeling, brokering, and legitimizing interprofessional learning.
• HPs are advised on augmenting their influence, and programs on empowering HPs.

Conclusions:

• Interprofessional workplace guidance is crucial for developing physician competence and collaborative skills.
• Intentional support is needed to leverage HPs as educational resources.
• Empowering HPs and fostering interprofessional learning benefits the entire medical education ecosystem.