Competencies and frameworks in interprofessional education: a comparative analysis

Interprofessional education for internationally educated health professionals: an environmental scan

Objective

The objective of this environmental scan was to identify Western Canadian interprofessional education (IPE) resources that currently exist for internationally educated health professionals (IEHPs).

Methodology

A web-based search was conducted to identify learning resources meeting defined inclusion criteria with a particular focus on the resources available in the Western Canadian provinces. Information was extracted using a standardized template, and we contacted IEHP programs for additional information if necessary. Members of the research team reviewed preliminary findings, identified missing information from their respective provinces, and contacted organizations to fill in any gaps.

Results

The scan identified 26 learning resources for IEHPs in Western Canadian provinces and 15 in other provinces focused on support for IEHPs to meet their profession-specific licensing requirements and to acquire knowledge and competencies relevant to working in the Canadian health care system. Most learning resources, such as those found in bridging programs for IEHPs, included an orientation to the Canadian health care system, components of cultural competence, and at least one aspect of interprofessional competence (eg, communication skills). None of the 41 learning resources provided comprehensive training for IEHPs to cover the six interprofessional competency domains defined in the Canadian Interprofessional Health Collaborative (CIHC) National Interprofessional Competency Framework.

Conclusion

The IEHPs learning resources in Western Canada do not cover all of the interprofessional competencies. This review points to the value of developing a comprehensive IPE curriculum, based on the six domains identified in the CIHC National Interprofessional Competency Framework.

Launching first-year health sciences students into collaborative practice: Highlighting institutional enablers and barriers to success

Developing and sustaining a comprehensive interprofessional education (IPE) curriculum infused throughout health science programmes at large post-secondary institutions requires not only champions within each program but also collaboration across professional programmes and strong support at an institutional level. The purpose of this article is twofold. First, it reports on the development of an interprofessional learning pathway, an institutional curricular model, and the pathway launch, an introductory learning experience within the context of a large post-secondary institution. The interprofessional curricular model provides a framework to connect the IPE that was previously fragmented across faculties and professional programmes into a scaffolded coherent pathway. The launch exposes students to the principles and competencies of collaborative practice. Second, it explores the dual role of enablers and barriers to IPE within the context of one institution's 20-year experience of developing and delivering. In examining the elements that have sustained the institution's IPE programming, it is highlighted how the seemingly positive elements (e.g., IPE champions and strong university support from central administration) have also served as hindrances within the academy potentially threatening the sustainability and institutionalisation of IPE. We anticipate that this curricular model and learning experiences will provide mechanisms to sustain and foster IPE.

Building Sustainable Professional Development Programs: Applying Strategies From Implementation Science to Translate Evidence Into Practice

INTRODUCTION

Multisite and national professional development (PD) programs for educators are challenging to establish. Use of implementation science (IS) frameworks designed to convert evidence-based intervention methods into effective health care practice may help PD developers translate proven educational methods and models into successful, well-run programs. Implementation of the national Educational Scholars Program (ESP) is used to illustrate the value of the IS model.

METHODS

Four adaptable elements of IS are described: (1) replication of an evidence-based model, (2) systematic stages of implementation, (3) management of implementation using three implementation drivers, and (4) demonstration of program success through measures of fidelity to proven models and sustainability.

RESULTS

Implementation of the ESP was grounded on five established principles and methods for successful PD. The process was conducted in four IS stages over 10 years: Exploration, Installation, Initial Implementation, and Full Implementation. To ensure effective and efficient processes, attention to IS implementation drivers helped to manage organizational relationships, build competence in faculty and scholars, and address leadership challenges. We describe the ESP's fidelity to evidence-based structures and methods, and offer three examples of sustainability efforts that enabled achievement of targeted program outcomes, including academic productivity, strong networking, and career advancement of scholars.

DISCUSSION

Application of IS frameworks to program implementation may help other PD programs to translate evidence-based methods into interventions with enhanced impact. A PD program can follow systematic developmental stages and be operationalized by practical implementation drivers, thereby creating successful and sustainable interventions that promote the academic vitality of health professions educators.

Interprofessional Education (IPE) and Pharmacy in the UK. A Study on IPE Activities across Different Schools of Pharmacy

Interprofessional education (IPE) has been recognised internationally as a way to improve healthcare professional interactions and team working in order to enhance patient care. Since pharmacists are increasingly part of multi-professional healthcare teams and are expanding their clinical roles, many pharmacy regulators have stipulated IPE must be included in educational curricula. This study aimed to examine how different Schools of Pharmacy (SOPs) in the UK implement IPE within their pharmacy course. Information about IPE was mainly obtained through interviews with staff from various SOPs. Nine telephone interviews were conducted which were analysed using a thematic analysis approach in order to derive common categories. These were identified as students, activities, barriers and facilitators and benefits of IPE. It was found that teaching methods used for IPE varied across SOPs. No standard strategy to deliver IPE was identified. Students were thought to value the IPE experience, especially the interaction with other professionals. The main barriers to implementing IPE arose from limited financial and organisational support. In general, many SOPs in the UK are undertaking IPE but challenges remain in establishing it as a routine part of the course, something which seems to echo difficulties in implementation of IPE both nationally and internationally.

Evaluating Interprofessional Team Performance: A Faculty Rater Tool

INTRODUCTION

Reliable team assessment has become a priority because of growing emphasis on interprofessional education and team-based care. Objective rating scales are needed to evaluate interprofessional student teams and individuals and provide real-time feedback.

METHODS

In response to a need for behavioral rating scales, we modified the McMaster-Ottawa Scale from a 9-point to a 3-point scale and added descriptive behavioral anchors to define three levels of competency (i.e., below, at, and above expected). This modification is intended to provide consistent rating of individuals and teams in patient settings. We then developed a demonstration video using actors representing four professions to demonstrate the three levels of performance within the team. Our faculty rater tool, consisting of the modified scale and video, is designed to provide standardized ratings in interprofessional educational settings that involve patient care.

RESULTS

We conducted training sessions with 40 faculty members from seven professions (medicine, dentistry, occupational therapy, nursing, pharmacy, physician assistant, and psychology) over a 2-year period. Immediately after each training session, two trained faculty observers rated interprofessional student teams as they conducted history and assessments on standardized patients. Observer scores were compared with one another and with standard expert ratings of the same teams. Trained observer ratings were consistent across the pairs. The observer training can be conducted within 60-90 minutes with the tool.

DISCUSSION

Results of our implementation of the faculty rater tool confirm that the modified McMaster-Ottawa Scale is feasible to administer in clinical settings and that the demonstration video can be easily adopted for standardizing observer ratings.

A scoping review to understand "leadership" in interprofessional education and practice

This scoping study examined how "leadership" is referred to and used in interprofessional education and practice. A total of 114 refereed articles were reviewed to determine how leadership is defined, conceptualised, and theorised. The review also examined what capabilities were identified for effective interprofessional leadership. The majority of papers were empirical studies undertaken by researchers based in North America. The majority of articles did not refer to a specific leadership approach, nor did they define, describe, or theorise leadership. Moreover, "leadership" capabilities were rarely identified. Articles generally focused on health practitioners and educators or students as leaders with little exploration of leadership at higher levels (e.g. executive, accrediting bodies, government). This review indicates the need for a more critical examination of interprofessional leadership and the capabilities required to lead the changes required in both education and practice settings. The goal of this article is to stimulate discussion and more sophisticated, shared understandings of interprofessional leadership for the professions. Recommendations for future research are required in both education and practice settings.

Management and leadership competence in hospitals: a systematic literature review

Purpose

– The purpose of this study is to describe the characteristics of management and leadership competence of health-care leaders and managers, especially in the hospital environment. Health-care leaders and managers in this study were both nursing and physician managers. Competence was assessed by evaluating the knowledge, skills, attitudes and abilities that enable management and leadership tasks.

Design/methodology/approach

– A systematic literature review was performed to find articles that identify and describe the characteristics of management and leadership competence. Searches of electronic databases were conducted using set criteria for article selection. Altogether, 13 papers underwent an inductive content analysis.

Findings

– The characteristics of management and leadership competence were categorized into the following groups: health-care-context-related, operational and general.

Research limitations/implications

– One limitation of the study is that only 13 articles were found in the literature regarding the characteristics of management and leadership competence. However, the search terms were relevant, and the search process was endorsed by an information specialist. The study findings imply the need to shift away from the individual approach to leadership and management competence. Management and leadership need to be assessed more frequently from a holistic perspective, and not merely on the basis of position in the organizational hierarchy or of profession in health care.

Originality/value

– The authors’ evaluation of the characteristics of management and leadership competence without a concentrated profession-based approach is original.

Genetic Counseling Milestones: A Framework for Student Competency Evaluation

Graduate medical education has recently increased focus on the development of medical specialty competency milestones to provide a targeted tool for medical resident evaluation. Milestones provide developmental assessment of the attainment of competencies over the course of an educational program. An educational framework is described to explore the development of Genetic Counseling Milestones for the evaluation of the development of genetic counseling competencies by genetic counseling students. The development of Genetic Counseling Milestones may provide a valuable tool to assess genetic counseling students across all program activities. Historical educational context, current practices, and potential benefits and challenges in the development of Genetic Counseling Milestones are discussed.

Peer mentoring program in an interprofessional and interdisciplinary curriculum in Brazil

The Federal University of São Paulo, Baixada Santista Campus was founded in 2006 with five degree-granting programs in physical education, physiotherapy, nutrition, psychology, and occupational therapy. The guiding principle behind the programs' educational mission was centered on the development of health care professionals capable of working in interdisciplinary teams with an emphasis on holistic patient care. This pedagogical structure required peer-mentoring programs in order to integrate different areas of knowledge and to improve learning strategies among new generations of students. The authors' objective in the present report is to discuss the strategies and activities of the peer-mentoring program in histophysiology and gross anatomy in an interdisciplinary and interprofessional curriculum. Evaluations by students, mentors and professors are presented, along with a statistical analysis of variance comparing student performance in the module assessments according to their participation in the peer-mentoring activities. The results demonstrated that students who participated in peer-mentoring activities enjoyed a higher rate of academic success than those who did not participate. In addition, student and mentor evaluations of the peer mentoring program were highly positive. The program enabled mentors to gain a deeper knowledge of the subjects addressed in the learning modules, as well as to develop intrinsic teaching skills during their time as mentors. In short, the authors believe that the peer-mentoring program has been validated for its effectiveness in raising student academic performance.

Interprofessional education and the basic sciences: Rationale and outcomes

Interprofessional education (IPE) aims to improve patient outcomes and the quality of care. Interprofessional learning outcomes and interprofessional competencies are now included in many countries' health and social care professions' accreditation standards. While IPE may take place at any time in health professions curricula it tends to focus on professionalism and clinical topics rather than basic science activities. However generic interprofessional competencies could be included in basic science courses that are offered to at least two different professional groups. In developing interprofessional activities at the preclinical level, it is important to define explicit interprofessional learning outcomes plus the content and process of the learning. Interprofessional education must involve interactive learning processes and integration of theory and practice. This paper provides examples of IPE in anatomy and makes recommendations for course development and evaluation.

Interprofessional collaboration in research, education, and clinical practice: working together for a better future

Interprofessional collaboration occurs when 2 or more professions work together to achieve common goals and is often used as a means for solving a variety of problems and complex issues. The benefits of collaboration allow participants to achieve together more than they can individually, serve larger groups of people, and grow on individual and organizational levels. This editorial provides an overview of interprofessional collaboration in the areas of clinical practice, education, and research; discusses barriers to collaboration; and suggests potential means to overcome them.