Interprofessional Education

Student Experience Timeline

Tier Key:

• Tier 1 Foundational: What is IPE? How does it work in health care systems? Why is it important?
• Tier 2 Simulated Patient Care: Teamwork in a classroom using simulated patient cases (e.g. Team-based, case-based discussions)
• Tier 3 Indirect Patient Care: Clinically reason together about real patient care in a classroom setting; independent review of data in preparation for class
• Tier 4 Direct Patient Care: Co-interview and examine patients together; clinically reason together; co-create, implement, and follow up on patient care plans

Playing a Critical Role in the Pharmacy Student Experience

The inclusion of IPE in national and ACPHS domains highlights its critical role in the pharmacy student experience.

National ACPE accreditation requirements include team dynamics, team education and team practice. It also involves core Entrustable Professional Activities (EPAs) for new pharmacy graduates, particularly in the interprofessional team member domain. The Center for the Advancement of Pharmacy Education domains cover several areas, such as learner development, problem-solving, collaboration, advocacy, communication, self-awareness, leadership, innovation and professionalism. Moreover, the Pharmacists' Patient Care Process (PPCP) involves five essential steps: collect, assess, plan, implement, and follow up, which includes monitoring the patient's progress.

Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences has laid out a strategic plan that focuses on five key areas:

• Academic Excellence
• Quality Student Experience
• People and Culture
• Engaging with Communities
• Financial Strength & Stewardship

The College also has a set of core values that guide its activities and interactions. These values include student-centered, integrity, respect, collaboration, community, and excellence. Student-centeredness involves mutual respect and positive and engaging interactions. Integrity is about honesty, trust, principles, accountability, and responsibility, and it requires all members to behave in a way that reflects positively on themselves and the institution. Respect demonstrates professional courtesy and exhibits care, concern, and consideration for others. Collaboration breaks down silos and encourages teamwork, while community involves a shared sense of purpose and identity. Excellence is consistently striving to do the very best work for our students and for all within our campus community. Appreciating our students and colleagues for their work ethic and commitment to excellence. 

What are the components of the IPE Student Experience?

As per the ACPE accreditation standards, all pharmacy schools must create an IPE student experience.

• Interprofessional team dynamics – All students are expected to show their competence in interprofessional team dynamics. This includes the ability to articulate the values and ethics that underpin interprofessional practice, engage in effective interprofessional communication (e.g., conflict resolution and documentation skills), and honor their interprofessional roles and responsibilities. The didactic and Introductory Pharmacy Practice Experience (IPPE) components of the curriculum introduce, reinforce and provide opportunities for practice of interprofessional team dynamics. Competency in interprofessional team dynamics is then demonstrated in Advanced Pharmacy Practice Experience (APPE) practice settings.
• Interprofessional team education – The curriculum enables collaboration and quality patient care by providing students with interprofessional educational activities. These activities help students learn from and work with other healthcare team members and understand their abilities and competencies, as well as their scope of practice. Note that some activities may involve simulations, but not all. 
• Interprofessional team practice – As competent healthcare team members, all students participate in providing direct patient care and engaging in shared therapeutic decision-making. They engage in experiential educational activities with prescribers/student prescribers and other healthcare team members. These activities include face-to-face interactions and are designed to improve interprofessional team effectiveness.

 Joseph T. Wayne is the PIPE Program Co-Director along with Amanda Engle, BS, PharmD, BCPS and David Butler, PharmD, BCPS, BCIDP Assistant Professor, Department of Pharmacy Practice.

Joseph T. Wayne, MD MPH MACP FRCP Professor of Internal Medicine & Pediatrics Clerkship Director for Internal Medicine Associate Program Director, Internal Medicine Department of Internal Medicine