This fall, VCOM-Louisiana hosted an Interprofessional Education (IPE) event that united students from VCOM-Louisiana, the University of Louisiana Monroe (ULM) College of Pharmacy and the ULM Marjorie S. Price Doctor of Physical Therapy Program. Held quarterly, these events emphasize the core competencies outlined by the Interprofessional Education Collaborative (IPEC).
The IPEC competencies foster collaboration in healthcare by encouraging a climate of shared values, ethical practice, clear roles and responsibilities, improved interprofessional communication and effective teamwork. Together, these competencies ensure that healthcare teams work cohesively to provide high-quality, patient-centered care.
The latest event focused on the “Teams and Teamwork” competency. Ashley Barbo, PharmD, program director of IPE and clinical associate professor at the ULM College of Pharmacy, highlighted its importance: “By focusing on the IPEC core competency of Teams and Teamwork, students learn evidence-informed methods for team development. For example, the Comprehensive Unit-based Safety Program (CUSP) method, developed by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), helps clinical teams enhance safety by integrating teamwork, clinical best practices and the science of safety.”
Students engaged in interactive learning through watching educational videos, guided discussions and reviewing collaborative patient cases, which helped them explore their roles in patient care within an interdisciplinary team. “The IPE event strengthened my communication and collaboration skills, teaching me the value of teamwork in patient care—essential skills for my future as a healthcare professional,” shared Danielle Willett, a VCOM-Louisiana Class of 2027 student.
Bringing together students from various disciplines and helping them learn from each other early on is key. Though their training may differ, the shared goal remains the same: healing, wellness and improved outcomes. We hope these interprofessional events foster an appreciation for each team member’s contribution and show how effective communication can positively impact the patients they will serve.
IPE’s ultimate goal is to foster shared responsibility among healthcare students, equipping them to work together to improve patient outcomes and community health. “IPE events help students understand social determinants of health and cultural factors affecting care access and quality,” explained Victoria Hamby, PT, DPT, assistant director of clinical education and assistant professor at the ULM Doctor of Physical Therapy Program. “In underserved or diverse communities, culturally competent, collaborative care can significantly improve health equity and outcomes.”
Through these hands-on experiences, students learn the value of cohesive teamwork with other healthcare professionals to provide the highest quality of care.
VCOM-Louisiana remains committed to fostering meaningful interprofessional learning opportunities with ULM and other institutions in Northeast Louisiana to prepare students for successful healthcare careers to serve the Delta region and beyond.