Implementing large-scale clinical interprofessional education (IPE) experiences within clinical learning environments (CLEs) remains challenging. We previously piloted an IPE experience to bridge this divide and unite learners across diverse CLEs. In this Lightning Talk, we will report on a large-scale, successful implementation of an interprofessionally designed, para-clinical IPE experience targeting IPEC-derived teamwork concepts involving students at our large public health sciences university in academic year 2023-2024.

Our interprofessional team designed, piloted, refined, and implemented a para-clinical IPE experience consisting of two synchronous online modules featuring patient safety, learner shame, systems thinking, and CLE assessment concepts. These modules were completed by interprofessional groups of 3-4 students during the clinical phase of each student’s educational program. Student groups met independently to work through steps of a simulated root cause analysis, examined patient safety and learner shame through an illustrated case study, and applied the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) Clinical Microsystem Assessment tool to their own CLEs. Students completed end-of-module and end-of-experience assessments mapped to IPEC competencies.

A total of 757 students from 11 educational programs across 5 five schools completed this experience, 96.8% (733/757) of which completed all post-module surveys. Program evaluation consisted of post-module and overall experience feedback, including a 27-item survey using a 5-point Likert scale (1=strongly disagree, 5=strongly agree) with several open-ended questions. Mean scores ranged from 3.78 to 4.04. Students reported that the experience demonstrated the importance of using principles of systems thinking (mean 4.00, SD 1.08) and process improvement methods (mean 3.97, SD 1.11) to increase interprofessional teamwork effectiveness. Students also reported that the LINC Clinical IPE Experience was beneficial to their professional development (mean 3.79, SD 1.23) and prepared them for future clinical activities (mean 3.78, SD 1.23). Emergent themes from qualitative responses centered around organizational barriers, the importance of interprofessional communication, and factors contributing to team effectiveness.

In line with this year’s theme of preparing students for interprofessional collaborative practice, we demonstrated the feasibility and scalability of implementing a self-guided, para-clinical IPE experience at a large public health sciences university. Temporally situating clinical IPE-relevant activities within students’ individual CLEs is a valuable approach to support students’ transitions from classroom- to clinical IPE. This experience holds promise as a critical step that could be implemented at scale in a variety of educational settings.

Accreditation Details

In support of improving patient care, this activity is planned and implemented by The National Center for Interprofessional Practice and Education Office of Interprofessional Continuing Professional Development (National Center OICPD). The National Center OICPD is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.

As a Jointly Accredited Provider, the National Center is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved under this program. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. The National Center maintains responsibility for this course. Social workers completing this course receive continuing education credits.

The National Center OICPD (JA#: 4008105) is approved by the Board of Certification, Inc. to provide continuing education to Athletic Trainers (ATs).

This activity was planned by and for the healthcare team, and learners will receive Interprofessional Continuing Education (IPCE) credit for learning and change.

Text reads "Office of Interprofessional Continuing Professional Development" and shown are logos for the National Center for Interprofessional Practice and Education,
the University of Minnesota School of Nursing, and the University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy.

Physicians: The National Center for Interprofessional Practice and Education designates this live activity for AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with their participation.

Physician Assistants: The American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA) accepts credit from organizations accredited by the ACCME.

Nurses: Participants will be awarded contact hours of credit for attendance at this workshop.

Nurse Practitioners: The American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Program (AANPCP) accepts credit from organizations accredited by the ACCME and ANCC.

Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians: This activity is approved for contact hours.

Athletic Trainers: This program is eligible for Category A hours/CEUs. ATs should claim only those hours actually spent in the educational program.

Social Workers: As a Jointly Accredited Organization, the National Center is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved under this program. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. The National Center maintains responsibility for this course. Social workers completing this course receive continuing education credits.

IPCE: This activity was planned by and for the healthcare team, and learners will receive Interprofessional Continuing Education (IPCE) credits for learning and change.

Learners can claim CE credit by completing the Daily Evaluation.