Impact Report

The Influence of IPE

Does campus-based interprofessional education (IPE) really influence professional practice? Will it make a meaningful difference in your real-world capacity for teamwork and patient-centered care? And perhaps equally important: do employers care about IPE skills?

We asked 51 alumni these questions and found that IPE experience on campus not only influenced practice but was a valuable asset in obtaining employment and opening up leadership opportunities. 

The study, Interprofessional Education: A 5-year Analysis of its Impact on Workplace Practice,* involved 94 51 alumni from 9 51 health professions programs in surveys and focus groups. We gathered both quantitative (survey), and qualitative (focus groups) data.

I now get really passionate about how all the different [health] professions work together. How can I help make an OT’s, PT’s, pharmacist’s, or speech pathologist's job easier?” — Wyatt Blackstone, D.O. ’27

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Participants found significant benefit from campus-based IPE activities.
 

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Knowledge learned from campus IPE activities positively transferred to the workforce.

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Participants reported having IPE experience was a factor in employers’ hiring and promotion decisions.  

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Learning about other professions before entering practice gave participants confidence working in professional teams.

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Participants enjoyed learning from diverse perspectives and felt it strengthened their practice.

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Read the Report

Download the full Interprofessional Education Impact Report (PDF)

[Interprofessional education] positively impacted my ability to collaborate and work effectively with my colleagues, clients, and families.” — Lauren Hallberg, M.S.O.T. ’19

The importance of interprofessional teamwork

Participating in this research as a student has proven to be a valuable aspect of my education optimizing patient outcomes. My early exposure to the interdisciplinary aspects of patient care and its benefits enhances my ability to provide holistic patient care now and in future practice.” — Kelsey Pelletier, College of Osteopathic Medicine ’23