Looking through a new lens, exploring the interdependent relationship between interprofessional education and collaborative practice with Polarity Thinking^TM

ABSTRACT

The context of interprofessional education (IPE) and collaborative practice (IPCP) has led to calls for greater alignment, coordination, and coalitions among education and healthcare delivery systems. One method to evaluate and improve these coalitions is the Polarity Thinking^TM framework. Polarities, such as IPE and IPCP, can represent interdependent pairs of different but complementary values or perspectives. This project investigates the IPE and IPCP polarity as perceived by educators and practitioners using survey research and an in-person summit to examine how the interdependent relationship between IPE and IPCP can support efficient, effective, and integrated care. Eighteen participants registered to attend the Association of Schools Advancing Health Professions (ASAHP) Summit on Healthcare Workforce Readiness for IPCP were surveyed in July 2018. Fifteen of the registered participants responded to the survey, which consisted of demographic questions and 16 items specific to the respondents’ experiences with IPE and IPCP. The resulting Polarity Map®, generated based on responses to the pre-conference survey, showed that neither the IPE or IPCP poles were strongly supported. However, survey respondents did indicate more frequent positive outcomes with IPCP than experienced with IPE. Additionally, using the Polarity Map® as a guide, Summit participants generated action steps and early warning signs to support IPE and IPCP values. While the sample size was limited, the study can be used as an example of managing the IPE-IPCP polarity through broad engagement of stakeholders to better leverage IPE and IPCP to achieve efficient, effective, and integrated healthcare.

KEYWORDS:

• Interprofessional collaboration
• interprofessional education
• polarity thinking^TM
• quality improvement
• survey

Declaration of Interest

Authors T. Christopherson and M. Troseth, co-owners of MissingLogic, LLC, were compensated to conduct the pre-conference assessment and facilitate the Summit associated with this work. Chrisopherson and Troseth contributed to the project and manuscript through their expertise with the Polarity Thinking^TM framework.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Elizabeth M. Adams

Dr. Elizabeth M. Adams is a tenured Associate Professor and serves as the Department Chair of the Department of Speech Pathology and Audiology in the Pat Capps Covey College of Allied Health Professions at the University of South Alabama.

Anthony P. Breitbach

Dr. Anthony P. Breitbach is a tenured Professor and serves as the Director of the Athletic Training Program in the Doisy College of Health Sciences at Saint Louis University.

Lisa L. Dutton

Dr. Lisa L. Dutton is a tenured Professor and serves as Dean of Health Sciences in the Henrietta Schmoll School of Health at St. Catherine University.

Patricia Y. Talbert

Dr. Patricia Y. Talbert is an Associate Professor and serves as the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs and Administration at Howard University, College of Nursing and Allied Health Sciences.

Tracy Christopherson

Tracy Christopherson, MS, BAS, RRT is co-founder of MissingLogic, LLC, a company dedicated to unleashing the power of Polarity Thinking™ in healthcare and she’s the co-host of the Healthcare’s Missing Logic Podcast.

Michelle R. Troseth

Michelle R. Troseth, MSN, RN, FNAP, FAAN is co-founder of MissingLogic, LLC, a company dedicated to unleashing the power of Polarity Thinking™ in healthcare and she’s the co-host of the Healthcare’s MissingLogic Podcast.

Andrew J. Butler

Dr. Andrew J. Butler is a neuroscientist and physical therapist.  He is a Professor and Dean of the School of Health Professions at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. His laboratory uses robotics in the rehabilitation of people recovering from stroke.