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Abstract
Despite increasing recognition for the importance of interprofessional education (IPE), little is known about where in the world it occurs, how it is conducted and why it is offered. This international environmental scan was commissioned by the World Health Organization (WHO) to answer these questions and inform efforts to support IPE on a global scale. An internet-based survey targeting educators and researchers in WHO's 193 Member States was conducted between February and April 2008. Participants were recruited by WHO staff through a range of country focal points, collaborating centres, regional networks and partner organizations. The scan garnered 396 responses representing 41 countries from WHO's six regions, various income-economies and many health professions. IPE was often (i) voluntary (22%); (ii) not based on explicit learning outcomes (34%); (iii) not assessed for what was learned (63%); (iv) not offered by trained facilitators (69%); and (v) not formally evaluated (30%). Participants reported many benefits of IPE for education, practice and policy. Results are limited primarily by reliance on self-reports and an English-only, internet-based questionnaire. Significant efforts are required to ensure that IPE is designed, delivered and evaluated in keeping with internationally recognized best practice.
Acknowledgements
Members of the World Health Organization Study Group on Interprofessional Education and Collaborative Practice include: John H. V. Gilbert, Jean Yan and Steven J. Hoffman (Central Leadership Team); Peter G. Baker, Marilyn Hammick, Wendy Horne, Lesley Hughes, Monica Moran, Sylvia Rodger, Madeline Schmitt and Jill Thistlethwaite (Interprofessional Education Working Group); Yuichi Ishikawa, Susanne Lindqvist, Sharon Mickan, Ester Mogensen, Ratie Mpofu and Louise Nasmith (Collaborative Practice Working Group); and Hugh Barr, Vernon Curran, Denise Holmes, Debra Humphris, Lisa Hughes, Sandra MacDonald-Rencz, Jill Macleod Clark and Bev Ann Murray (System-Level Supportive Structures Working Group). Additional support was provided by Andrea Burton (strategic communications), Susanna Gilbert (graphic design), Virgie Largado-Ferri (administrative assistance), Scott Reeves (research expertise) and Brenda Sawatzky-Girling (partnerships).
We thank David Dickson, Liz Springfield and Joleen Tirendi for their assistance with data collection and analysis. We also wish to acknowledge those individuals who provided helpful feedback on earlier versions of this paper, including the preliminary draft that was published in the World Health Organization's Interprofessional Education Companion Academic Report (WHO, Citation2010b).
Declaration of interest: The opinions expressed in this paper are those of the individual authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the World Health Organization.
Notes
1. The following international organizations, their associated membership and email distribution lists also facilitated contact with prospective participants: (1) Association for Prevention Teaching and Research; (2) Australasian Interprofessional Practice and Education Network; (3) Canadian Interprofessional Health Collaborative; (4) European IPE Network; (5) Global Network of WHO Collaborating Centres for Nursing and Midwifery Development; (6) International Association for IPE and Collaborative Practice; (7) International Pharmaceutical Federation; (8) Journal of Interprofessional Care; (9) Linkoping University, Sweden; (10) Nordic Interprofessional Network; (11) Secretariat of the All Together Better Health IV Conference (2–5 June 2008, Karolinska Institutet & Linköping University, Sweden); (12) Secretariat of the North American IPE Conference (24–26 October, 2007, University of Minnesota, USA); (13) The Network: Towards Unity for Health; (14) UK Centre for the Advancement of Interprofessional Education; (15) UK Council of Deans of Health; and (16) UK Higher Education Academy.
2. See http://www.interedhealth.org.