Interprofessional Innovations in Allied Health
Driving Innovation Through Design
Increasingly, leadership in higher education and industry are working closely together to focus on better preparing students to enter the workforce as part of interdisciplinary teams. Success in this setting requires more than a solid grasp of technical skills – it also requires the ability to collaborate across professions to solve specific problems. Health sciences education is ahead of the game in recognizing the need for team-based educational experiences that model real life healthcare delivery. Interprofessional education has also increasingly become an accreditation requirement and has been integrated into curricula. In order to design facilities that foster IPE, the health professions must embrace a holistic approach to connect each discipline on multiple levels. From curriculum and faculty development, clinical partnerships and competencies, to new environments to support a wide range of students, each program within a health sciences facility must be carefully evaluated to ensure that it supports IPE goals. It is at these intersections that creativity and innovation will thrive.