Interprofessional Education comes to Mercy College of Ohio
A new initiative has begun at Mercy College of Ohio to formally integrate Interprofessional Education (IPE) with ongoing program curricula.
IPE, as defined by the World Health Organization, occurs when two or more professions learn about, from, and with each other to enable effective collaboration and improve health outcomes. This directly aligns with the mission of Mercy College, which focuses on healthcare and leadership. Mercy College students are the healthcare workforce of the future, and IPE has outlined student competencies to teach teamwork among the different programs with the ultimate goal of improving the quality of patient care for populations while reducing the overall cost of care.
A six-member Steering Committee is leading the process comprised of the following individuals: Joely Austin, Kathleen McCarthy, Barbara Stoos, Kimberly Watson, Kristin Pacak, and Amanda Romain. On March 25, 2017 five members of this group attended an IPE event that addressed team strategies and tools to enhance performance and patient safety (Team STEPPS) at Northeast Ohio Medical College. Several other colleges also participated in the day’s activities.
Four members of the committee attended the IPE Collaborative Institute in Washington, D.C. from May 2-May 5, 2017. Both meetings have ignited excitement within the Steering Committee members, and they are ready to engage the Mercy College Community. An introductory presentation, online module, and TeamSTEPPS activities are being planned during Faculty/Staff Development days in August.
Pictured (L-R): Kimberly Watson, Joely Austin, Kathleen McCarthy, and Barbara Stoos