Strategy - Keele University
 

Health

Faculty

Study for a career in Health

 

Faculty of Health

Interprofessional Education Strategy for 2002 - 2012

Context

Across the UK there are several initiatives to develop interprofessional education, in line with government policy that requires providers to demonstrate interprofessional teaching and learning initiatives in programmes of preparation for health and social care practitioners (DoH, 2000). At Keele University, the Faculty of Health is committed to inter-professional education in both principle and practice. In recent years several initiatives have been undertaken to develop opportunities for shared learning, for example, in the Department of Medicines Management, community pharmacists and GPs have been taught together on an Advanced Therapeutics Course. Other initiatives have included joint planning of perinatal mental health and cognitive behavioural degree modules between nurse educationalists, clinical nurse specialists, and psychiatrists.
The development of Faculty programmes at both Diploma and Degree levels has presented new opportunities to identify areas of shared learning at undergraduate level, as proposed in the Keele University Learning and Teaching Strategies (2002-10) and the NHS Plan (DoH, 2000).

Interprofessional Education Strategy – a chronological perspective:

A phased approach to integration has been adopted across the Faculty of Health and Keele University.

Phase 1: 2002-2003
Initiatives to focus on conjoint teaching approaches. For example, the Undergraduate Medical Course had a specific communication skills component running throughout the clinical years. These were taught conjointly by lecturers with professional backgrounds in medicine and nursing and were evaluated on an on-going basis.

Phase 2: 2003-2005
In addition to conjoint teaching, in 2003-2004 opportunities for shared learning were developed. One development related to the ‘Breaking Bad News’ component of communication skills in the Manchester Medical Course at Keele University. This course element was taught conjointly, and, additionally, was facilitated through shared learning opportunities (medical and other health students e.g., nursing / midwifery). Other opportunities for shared learning were explored in relation to clinical practice, clinical skill development, problem-based learning, and anatomy and pathology.  The appointment of two WTE IPE Coordinators in 2004-05 was designed to translate the success of current IPE initiatives into all undergraduate (UG) provisions.  In 2005 IPE development became the remit of the Faculty Learning and Teaching Committee IPE Sub Group. In developing IPE within UG provision, the operational definition of IPE was that offered by CAIPE (Caipe 1997).

Phase 3: 2005- 2007
From 2005 to 2007 undergraduate curricula across the Faculty of Health are being written, reviewed / rewritten / revalidated to reflect new curricula approaches in line with emerging clinical and educational trends. This enables the development of new innovative programmes, which facilitate both professional requirements and interprofessional course elements for all Faculty programmes and other health related programmes across the University. Interprofessional course components will transcend specific programmes, offering students the opportunity for shared learning elements both in theory and practice throughout their programme with students from other disciplines.  These developments will apply to all health related programmes across the University and will be designed and planned by the Faculty Learning and Teaching Committee IPE Sub-Group.   

Phase 4:  2007 onwards
Implementation of the IPE programme.  There will be further development of elements of the programme and ongoing development will be informed by an extensive evaluation strategy.  Further developments will encompass formalisation of IPE opportunities and outcomes in the clinical setting and promotion of smaller scale Interprofessional-learning interactions across health related programmes e.g. the virtual interactive patient.  The IPE group will continue to be responsible for the planning/implementation of the innovative programme.

Aims of the Interprofessional Education Strategy

The interprofessional education strategy is founded upon the following aims:

  • The development of mutual understanding and respect between professional groups
  • The promotion of interprofessional learning and teaching in undergraduate and postgraduate education across the Faculty of Health
  • To facilitate the incorporation of interdisciplinary learning and teaching in health disciplines across the University, for example through collaboration with other Faculties and Departments plus the local NHS Trusts
  • To identify opportunities for shared learning and teaching in line with government and university policy
  • To enhance the knowledge, skills and attitudes of professional roles

Interprofessional Education Organisation

To progress the Strategy, the Interprofessional Education Group meets between 6 and 9 times a year and its decisions feed directly into each of the participating health related programme teams.  The Group reports to the Faculty Learning and Teaching Committee which meets on a monthly basis.