Future forward: Interprofessional education planning
A new era of healthcare
At The Ohio State University, we recognize that to prepare for healthcare changes, a shift in healthcare education must occur. Now more than ever, our community must embrace and commit to interprofessional education so that today’s learners are equipped for tomorrow’s healthcare demands.
The Office of Interprofessional Education and Practice (OIPE) is partnering with nine colleges and schools spanning over 20 degree programs to move this effort forward. This year, each of these partners developed a detailed 5-year interprofessional practice and education work plan to ensure that we're moving forward at the university and at the unit level to achieve our goals. These work plans establish what’s important and how we can ensure that when our healthcare professionals graduate, they’re truly prepared to learn from, with, and about each other.
Our changing healthcare workforce
Healthcare has changed. This is primarily driven by technological advancements, shifting demographics, and increased demands on our healthcare workforce. Due to this shift, healthcare teams must collaborate, communicate, and solve problems together now more than ever.
Most healthcare professions have historically trained independently of each other, both in and out of the classroom. When learners train separately, it can leave them unprepared for real-world situations. Historically, this has resulted in poor patient experience, and potentially, professional burnout.
However, the 21st century workforce requires a different approach. Here at Ohio State, we want to ensure that our workforce is prepared to work in highly complex healthcare settings from day one. Our goal is to graduate professionals who not only possess expertise in their chosen field but also have the essential skills needed to collaborate with anyone on a healthcare team.
How work plans help us adapt
Our new program work plans outline our intended direction - they’ll tell us where to go and how we will get there. They’re our roadmap and serve as a benchmark for our efforts. Work plans outline the steps required to prepare future learners and how we can support faculty in doing so.
These work plans are in direct alignment with our IPE strategic plan. This strategic plan establishes interprofessional practice and education as a uniting force across the university and The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. This ensures all learners gain the skills needed for effective teamwork, regardless of the program.
Our collaborative partners
As we continue to move forward in transforming healthcare education, collaboration is key.
The following entities at Ohio State have committed to strengthening their interprofessional education efforts:
This collective commitment is a testament to Ohio State’s dedication to not just keeping pace with workforce change, but to leading it. By partnering together, we’re fundamentally transforming healthcare education and, ultimately, how we’ll transform health and health outcomes for the communities we serve.