Interprofessional education and practice guide No. 10: Developing, supporting and sustaining a team of facilitators in online interprofessional education

ABSTRACT

Whilst we have seen a growth in the use of information and communication technologies to deliver interprofessional education (IPE) in the last decade, little has been written about facilitating IPE in the online environment. For the last 10 years, the Faculty of Health at Deakin University has offered a fully online IPE course that has consistently employed facilitators to guide interprofessional teams in both asynchronous and synchronous (real-time) online interprofessional learning experiences. This Interprofessional Education and Practice Guide draws on the Deakin University leadership experience in supporting teams of online IPE facilitators over the last decade, underpinned by prior research and key literature. The key lessons provided in this guide aim to assist others in developing, supporting and sustaining a team of online IPE facilitators to guide asynchronous and synchronous online interprofessional learning experiences.

KEYWORDS:

• Interprofessional education
• facilitation
• interprofessional learning
• E-learning

Acknowledgments

The late Professor Scott Reeves was pivotal in the initial conceptualisation of this paper.

Declaration of interest

The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of this article.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Sherryn Evans

Sherryn Evans is a Senior Lecturer and the Interprofessional Education Coordinator in the Faculty of Health at Deakin University. Sherryn has fifteen years experience in higher education, with expertise in online teaching.

Catherine Ward

Catherine Ward is a Lecturer in Interprofessional Education in the School of Psychology at Deakin University.  She plays a pivotal role in leading the Deakin IPE facilitating team.

Nicole Shaw

Nicole Shaw is a Lecturer in Interprofessional Education in the School of Psychology at Deakin University and works with a local health network to support IPE development.

Arlene Walker

Arlene Walker, PhD, is a registered psychologist, Associate Head of School (Regional and Rural Development) and a Senior Lecturer in Organisational Psychology at Deakin University.Arlene has expertise in graduate work readiness and employee health and wellbeing. Ching and Learning in the School of Psychology.

Tess Knight

Tess Knight, PhD, is a Professor of the Head of School of Psychology, Counselling and Psychotherapy and the Cairnmillar Institute. Tess has over 25 years experience in higher education with expertise in classic and innovative qualitative research methods.

Wendy Sutherland-Smith

Wendy Sutherland-Smith is a Associate Professor of the Director of Teaching and Learning in the School of Psychology at Deakin University. Wendy has over 20 years experience in higher education primarily in the areas of curriculum design, assessment and online learning.