Learnings and challenges to deploy an interprofessional and independent medical education programme to a new audience

Mieke L Van Driel,Treasure M Mcguire,Richard Stark,Patrice Lazure,Tina Garcia,Lisa Sullivan

doi:10.1080/21614083.2017.1400857

Abstract

ABSTRACTThe importance of interprofessional education (IPE) in continuing medical education and professional development has long been recognised by health organisations and academic societies, benefiting not only patient outcomes and interprofessional relationships but also overall health systems and workforce shortage. We report on the outcomes of an Australian IPE activity on medication-overuse headache (MOH) with general practitioners (GPs) and community pharmacists as learners. The design of the activity, which followed the predisposing–enabling–reinforcing instructional framework by Green and Kreuter, aimed to: (1) improve knowledge and foster a willingness in GPs and pharmacists to work collaboratively to enhance the prevention, diagnosis and management of MOH; and (2) address their educational gap by demonstrating the utility of a blended learning IPE strategy on MOH. Integrated into the activity was an assessment of its effectiveness and impact to instil change in the participants’ knowledge of MOH, attitude and willingness to treat, and clinical practice behaviours of GPs and pharmacists to work together. The learners gained knowledge and confidence in diagnosing and managing MOH and in their ability to educate patients. The IPE approach suited the activity and was valued by the participating GPs and pharmacists, who seldom experience such learning formats. However, for educational providers in Australia, developing and deploying an independent medical education (IME) programme can be challenging. Providers of IMEs need to be aware of the potential pitfalls when competing with pharmaceutical-company-sponsored and delivered programmes.

Highlights

Interprofessional education and collaborationThe World Health Organization (WHO) recognises the importance of interprofessional collaboration in education and practice to mitigate the shortage of global health workforce, to strengthen health systems and improve patient outcomes [1]
We report on the outcomes of an Australian interprofessional education (IPE) activity on medication-overuse headache (MOH) with general practitioners (GPs) and community pharmacists as learners
We report on the interprofessional nature as well as the instructional framework and blended design of MOTIVATE and assessed the areas in the programme that worked well for the education of these healthcare professionals involved in the care of people with headaches, and the improvements that may guide future IPE programmes

Summary

Introduction

Interprofessional education and collaborationThe World Health Organization (WHO) recognises the importance of interprofessional collaboration in education and practice to mitigate the shortage of global health workforce, to strengthen health systems and improve patient outcomes [1]. While many universities include IPE and interprofessional learning in their health and social care programmes, the content is general in nature; learning outcomes, including benefits to patients, are not formally assessed [4,6]. In countries such as the US and Canada where learning outcomes are routinely assessed, interprofessional CPDs have been shown to improve the participants’ understanding of the roles of different professions, resulting in improved respect and collaboration [7,8]. In 2016, Dunston et al [9] submitted a report to the Australian

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