An annual report released this month marking the 5th year of the Michigan Center for Interprofessional Education (IPE) documents extraordinary progress toward transforming the future of collaborative health practice at University of Michigan and beyond.
The 2019-20 annual report also shows recommitment to racial equity and support for health professionals amid the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic.
“During this academic year, more than 300 faculty from the 10 health science schools located on the three U-M campuses were involved in Michigan Center for IPE activities,” said Frank Ascione, director for the Center for IPE and a U-M professor of pharmacy. “More than 3,000 health science students participated across 35 IPE opportunities—and we welcomed the U-M schools of law, education, business, and engineering into the IPE movement.
Since late winter, COVID-19 has disrupted both education and clinical practice. It has also led to unprecedented collaboration and resilience among U-M students, faculty, clinicians, and staff. As this year’s IPE annual report illustrates, efforts to deal with the pandemic benefit from the years of building a skilled network for interprofessional practice and education at U-M.
“Over the past five years, faculty’s IPE scholarly productivity has been impressive, ranging from 25 to 38 publications annually, and we have won multiple internal, regional, and international awards for excellence,” Ascione said. The IPE successes have been made possible by continued support from the U-M health science deans and Office of the Provost.
“We have physicians, residents and fellows, nurses, advanced practice providers (physician assistants and nurse practitioners), respiratory, physical, speech, and occupational therapists, medical and nursing assistants, pharmacists, social workers and many other health care professionals providing compassionate care to our patients and families,” explains Carol R. Bradford, Michigan Medicine chief academic officer and U-M Medical School executive vice dean for academic affairs.
“They are on the front line, working countless hours to do their part to stem this pandemic. Our students have had their learning environment affected, but are volunteering within Michigan Medicine and in their communities.”
If perusing the annual report inspires you to become more involved with the growing movement around interprofessional education and practice, please explore the Center for IPE website or email IPEcenter@umich.edu.
