Learning outcomes for interprofessional education (IPE): Literature review and synthesis

Abstract

As part of a World Health Organization (WHO) initiative we searched the literature to explore defined learning outcomes for interprofessional education between 1988, when the last WHO technical report on interprofessional education was published, and 2009. We describe and synthesize findings from 88 citations over this 21 year period. There is a variety in the way learning outcomes are presented but there are many similarities between specific outcomes and/or objectives. Papers describing educational interventions do not always include specific outcomes or objectives. Our findings have been integrated into a list of learning outcomes with six categories for further debate and discussion. This project is part of a wider initiative initiated by the WHO in 2007 to review the current position of interprofessional education worldwide. It is also a sub-project of a learning and teaching grant funded by the Carrick Institute for Learning and Teaching within Australia. In this paper we use the CAIPE definition of interprofessional education: “Occasions when two or more professions learn with, from and about each other to improve collaboration and the quality of care” (Barr, ).

Keywords:

• Interprofessional learning
• interprofessional education
• learning outcomes
• literature review

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 Morgensen, 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 Sawatsky-Girling (partnerships).

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.