Reem Azhari, PhD, RN
Reem Azhari, Ph.D., RN
Endowed Chair of Interprofessional Education
Assistant Professor, College of Nursing
Introduction
What is IPE?
Traditionally, IPE has referred to interprofessional education. The most commonly accepted definition, adapted from the Centre for the Advancement of Interprofessional Education in the United Kingdom and the World Health Organization, states that it “occurs when two or more professions (students, residents and health workers) learn with, about, and from each other to enable effective collaboration and improve health outcomes.”
We use the phrase "interprofessional practice and education" (IPE) as a way to create a shared space between interprofessional education, interprofessional practice and collaborative practice. The “new IPE” does not replace the principles related to these concepts – rather, it embraces them.
The “new” IPE is not about education for education’s sake. It’s about improving health, creating support systems and trying different models of practice. It intentionally supports people – including health professionals, health workers, students, residents, patients, families and communities – to learn together every day to enhance collaboration and improve health outcomes while reducing costs.
Reference
National Center for Interprofessional Practice and Education. (2019). About interprofessional practice and education. Retrieved from: https://nexusipe.org