Evolving global responses to the pandemic: sustaining interprofessional education and collaborative practice

ABSTRACT

The COVID-19 pandemic created global disruption in health professions education and healthcare practice, necessitating an abrupt move to digital delivery. A longitudinal survey was conducted to track the evolution of global responses to the pandemic. During the initial stages, educational and health institutions were forced to adapt quickly without careful consideration of optimal pedagogy, practices, and effectiveness of implemented approaches. In this paper, we report the results of Phase 3 of the global survey that was distributed between November 2021 and February 2022 through InterprofessionalResearch.Global (IPR.Global). The Phase 3 qualitative survey received 27 responses, representing 25 institutions from 13 countries in 6 regions. Using inductive thematic analysis, the data analysis resulted in three emerging themes: Impact of the pandemic on the delivery of interprofessional education and collaborative practice (IPECP); Impact of the pandemic on the healthcare system (team, population/client health, clients); and Sustainability and innovation. This study highlights the evolving nature of health education and collaborative practices in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. IPECP educators need to be resilient and deal with the complexities of face-to-face and digital learning delivery. Preparing for emerging forms of teamwork is essential for new work contexts and optimal health services.

KEYWORDS:

• Collaborative practice
• COVID-19 impact
• global responses
• interprofessional education
• longitudinal survey
• InterprofessionalResearch.Global (IPR.Global)

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Correction Statement

This article has been republished with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.

Additional information

Funding

The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article. AX is part-funded by an NIHR Advanced Fellowship (NIHR302958, FEARLESS ICU). The views expressed are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the NIHR or the Department of Health and Social Care.

Notes on contributors

Sylvia Langlois

Sylvia Langlois is the Associate Director, Academics at the Centre for Advancing Collaborative Healthcare & Education, University Health Network and Associate Professor, Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Education, Canada.

Camila Mendes da Silva Souza

Camila Mendes da Silva Souza, BScN, PhD student, Postgraduate Program in Nursing Management, School of Nursing, University of São Paulo, Brazil.

Andreas Xyrichis

Andreas Xyrichis is a Senior Academic Researcher at the Florence Nightingale Faculty of Nursing, Midwifery and Palliative Care, Kings College London, U.K.

Mukadder Inci Baser Kolcu

Mukadder Inci Baser Kolcu is an Associate Professor in the Department of Medical Education and Informatics and Head of Health Science Institution in Suleyman Demirel University, Isparta, Turkiye.

Dean Lising

Dean Lising is Integration Lead and BOOST! Program Director, Centre for Advancing Collaborative Healthcare and Education, University of Toronto (UT), Assistant Professor, Department of Physical Therapy, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, UT, PhD Student, Health Professional Education Research, Institute of Health Policy, Management and Evaluation and the Wilson Centre, UT, Education Investigator 2, The Institute for Education Research, University Health Network, Centennial College IPE Scholar-in-Residence.

Ghaidaa Najjar

Ghaidaa Najjar, PharmD, PhD. Consultant & Community Pharmacist. Adjunct faculty at Wayne State University/ Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, Pharmacology Instructor Physician Assistant Studies program at Wayne State University/ Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences. Adjunct clinical faculty at University of Michigan/ College of Pharmacy.

Hossein Khalili

Dr. Hossein Khalili, BScN, MScN, PhD, FNAP is the Senior Associate Dean of Academic Administration, School of Health Sciences, Winston-Salem State University and President of InterprofessionalResearch.Global (IPR.Global).