Medical School Hotline: Interprofessional Education: Future Nurses and Physicians Learning Together

Interprofessional education (IPE) brings students from various healthcare professions together for shared learning experiences. The goal of IPE is to prepare the healthcare force to work together collaboratively towards a more safe, patient-centered, and community-oriented health care system.1 While new to medical and nursing school education, there is evidence that student attitudes toward interprofessional collaboration and communication may be enhanced through IPE.2 Participating in interdisciplinary teams also gives students a better understanding of the role each discipline has in the health care system and its delivery.3 These factors would result in efficient and effective patient care through improved clinical decision-making. In 2003, the Institute of Medicine urged educators as well as accrediting, licensing, and certifying organizations to insure that students develop and maintain proficiency in working as part of interdisciplinary teams.4 A recent report by the Interprofessional Education Collaborative (IPEC) Expert Panel recommended four interprofessional competencies:1