Twelve tips for designing, implementing and sustaining interprofessional training units on hospital wards

Figures & data

Table 1. Stages in implementing and sustaining an ITU, based on a model for the process of change (Grol and Wensing 2004).

Stages of ITU implementation	Implementation goals	Implementation strategies
Orientation	1. Create awareness of need for IPE	Tip 1: Translate personal awareness of need for IPE into wider awareness and motivation of stakeholders Tip 2 : Appoint a project leader
	2. Stimulate interest in developing plans for ITU	Tip 3: Organize informative meetings involving all stakeholders, positioning the need for an ITU as solution to problems
Insight	3. Increase knowledge about possibility and feasibility of ITU	Tip 4: Stay connected with best practices elsewhere to boost next stages of implementation Tip 5: Once stakeholders express their positive intent for an ITU, discuss possible organizational barriers and solutions.
	4. Develop insight into converting normal routines into ITU routines	Tip 6: Create shared ownership by formulating unified goals and design, involving all ITU stakeholders
Acceptance	5. Develop positive attitudes and motivation for ITU	Tip 7: Provide IPE tutors with formal training to enhance competence for their role
	6. Confirm intention and decision for ITU implementation	Tip 8: Establish prototype ITU placement to enhance stakeholders’ motivation
Change	7. Implement ITU in one ward	Tip 9: Start with a pilot
	8. Confirm the value of ITU implementation	Tip 10: Confirm value of the ITU, make inventory of bottlenecks and provide necessary adjustments
Preservation of Change	9. Integrate ITU practice into routines	Tip 11: Adapt to organizational needs and changes
	10. Anchor ITU into the organization	Tip 12: Create diverse educator networks and embed practice-based IPE in organizational strategy