Interprofessional Education Steering Committee facilitates collaboration

By Mary Madill, M.S., PA-C

As the health science programs at Harding have grown, so have the opportunities for interprofessional education. The Interprofessional Education Steering Committee was formed in 2014 to assist with organization and development of interprofessional education opportunities among the colleges of allied health, nursing and pharmacy. Building upon grassroots efforts and existing integrated courses, the IPESC set its sights on supporting and formalizing interdepartmental connections and collaborative efforts outside the typical classroom setting. These efforts have improved communication with University leadership regarding interprofessional education and have encouraged faculty to partner with individuals from other programs for unique and fun learning opportunities.

Committee members began by reviewing their individual program and University mission statements, standards and goals, and accreditation requirements. Common themes were evident within each of these sets of requirements. For example, every college and department aims to educate future health care professionals competently within Christian and servant leadership principles. Committee members agreed that interprofessional education is consistent with the spirit of Christian servant leadership and the community of mission at Harding. Based on this review and current IPE guidelines from Interprofessional Education Collaborative and the Association of American Medical Colleges, the committee developed student learning outcomes. Throughout the process, committee members organized interprofessional events within the existing curriculum and outside of the traditional classroom for health science students.

The IPESC enjoys support from University leadership, has been privileged to attend the IPEC Institute for interprofessional education, and plans to attend the Collaborating Across Borders conference this fall in Banff, Alberta, Canada. These educational conferences have supported idea generation, networking opportunities, and a framework for future collaboration. In
addition to national and international networking,
committee members are also involved in the IPE
Arkansas Consortium with faculty from surrounding Arkansas universities.

The committee looks forward to continued growth as interprofessional patient care becomes increasingly prevalent in the current health care landscape and Harding’s health science programs continue to expand. Moving forward, 1 Corinthians 12:5-6 serves as a guiding principle for the committee: “There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.”

—Mary Madill, M.S., PA-C