Influencing factors and processes of interprofessional professional education (IPE) implementation

Abstract

Background

Interprofessional education (IPE) is an instructional approach for equipping health professions students with essential competencies needed to provide collaborative patient-centred care. The implementation and sustainability of IPE are challenging for many institutions. This qualitative study identified barriers and facilitators in the processes of IPE implementation.

Methods

We conducted mixed focus groups (FGs) with faculty members from medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, nutrition and dietetics, nursing, chiropractic, Chinese medicine, and other health sciences programmes; who were involved in the planning of IPE at institutional or programme level, or who participated in IPE activity. Transcripts were analysed using grounded theory.

Results

We identified 25 barriers and facilitators, clustered under five major categories of commitment, faculty engagement, IPE design, support, and delivery.

Conclusions

Successful implementation of IPE may hinge on actions in 5 stages; commitment, faculty engagement, IPE design, support, and delivery. The processes will require consistent leadership to break down professional silos and enhance collaborative effort in IPE implementation.

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank all participants of the study. The authors are also grateful for the input from members of Niigata Meeting and Mr David Chong (Senior Lecturer from School of Pharmacy, International Medical University) on the manuscript.

The IMU supplement is sponsored and supported by IMU Education Sdn Bhd.

Disclosure statement

The authors declare that they have no competing interests. All authors confirmed the final version and have given approval for the manuscript to be published.

Additional information

Funding

This study has been funded and supported by International Medical University, Kuala Lumpur.

Notes on contributors

Pei Se Wong

Pei Se Wong, PhD, is a senior lecturer in the Department of Pharmacy Practice at the School of Pharmacy, International Medical University (IMU). She has published work in interprofessional education (IPE). Her research interests include pharmacist roles in multiple settings and pharmacy training and education.

Yu Sui Chen

Chen Yu Sui, PhD, is an associate professor in the Division of Human Biology at the School of Medicine, IMU. She is the chair of the university IPE working group and responsible for the development of the IPE framework. She has published in medical education.

Pui San Saw

Pui San Saw, MSc, is a lecturer in the Department of Pharmacy Practice at the School of Pharmacy, Monash University Malaysia. Her research interests include pharmacists’ roles in interprofessional working.