Over 45 faculty and administrative leaders from the College of Education and Health Professions (COEHP) recently gathered to explore the integration of interprofessional education across the college’s diverse programs and departments. The workshop, held for a full day, was led by Barabara Maxwell, an associate dean and director of Indiana University’s Interprofessional Practice and Education Center.
Luzita Vela, the chairperson of the COEHP Interprofessional Education Council and director of the Master of Athletic Training program, expressed enthusiasm for the event. “The COEHP Interprofessional Education Council was so excited to host this workshop for all COEHP faculty,” she said. “Our mission is to create a community that embraces, embodies, and enacts the principles of interprofessional practice. This is important because research consistently shows that professionals who use interprofessional collaborative practice enhance outcomes for people, populations, and professionals.”
Interprofessional education (IPE) involves preparing students to collaborate with professionals outside their immediate field of study. This approach is designed to equip future professionals with the skills necessary for effective teamwork across disciplines, ultimately enhancing the quality of care and services provided to individuals and communities.
The College of Education and Health Professions established its Interprofessional Education Council in the fall of 2022. The council, which includes representatives from various areas within the college, aims to educate and train faculty, students, and staff in best practices for interprofessional education. This initiative aligns with the WE CARE strategic plan, which emphasizes creating a community that promotes interprofessional practice.
During the workshop, participants focused on understanding interprofessional education, setting goals, exploring different IPE frameworks, and developing a comprehensive college-wide interprofessional education plan for long-term implementation. Faculty members from both the education and health professions sides of the college were strategically grouped together to foster interprofessional dialogue and generate collaborative ideas.
Emily Richardson, a clinical instructor of nursing in the Eleanor Mann School of Nursing, praised the workshop’s structure. “It was a gift to have designated time for COEHP faculty to step out of our silos and intentionally develop new relationships over a shared vision,” she said. “I was encouraged by the existing interdisciplinary efforts across the college and thankful for the group-based brainstorming sessions to build potential new endeavors.”
Richardson added, “The workshop left me extremely hopeful for robust interprofessional experiences for our students and community.”
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