Interprofessional education: promoting collaboration

Health professionals practise in increasingly complex environments that demand a thorough understanding of the roles and responsibilities of other professionals, as well as an ability to collaborate effectively. A significant proportion of adverse events in health care are attributed to communication failures between team members.

Interprofessional education (IPE) involves students from different healthcare disciplines coming together to learn from and with each other (Gilbert et al, 2010). This approach fosters a deeper understanding of each profession's roles, responsibilities and contributions, breaking down traditional silos and facilitating a more holistic perspective of patient care (Hood et al, 2014). Through shared experiences, students gain insights into the various aspects of patient management, from diagnosis and treatment, pathophysiology and medicines management, to emotional and social support needs (Sanko et al 2020).

IPE is a key strategy to enhance team effectiveness and communication. By fostering a deeper appreciation of different professional roles and encouraging collaborative practice, IPE helps mitigate the risks associated with communication breakdowns. Studies have shown that IPE not only improves the knowledge and attitudes of health professionals towards teamwork but also positively impacts patient safety outcomes (Brock et al, 2013; Mahmood et al, 2021). By integrating IPE into healthcare curricula, institutions can better prepare students to navigate the complexities of modern healthcare environments, ultimately leading to improved patient care and safety.