Abstract
Collaborative interprofessional practice (IPP) is a desired competence to enhance health outcomes within models of person-centred and community-based care. The South African healthcare policy and graduate competency profile identified team-based care and collaboration as key elements for implementation of primary healthcare. Despite its advantages for healthcare provision, IPP is underdeveloped within health professional curricula in Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa. Individual interviews and focus group discussions were conducted among leadership, faculty, and students from the College of Health Sciences at the University of Kwazulu-Natal to explore conceptions of IPP from different vantage points. All constituencies agree that IPP should be included in health professional curricula. Students highlight the need for theoretical notions of team-based care to be translated into actual practice. An IPP competency framework that was contextually relevant for effective collaboration, was identified. An implementation framework for IPP among students identified methods of teaching and learning for the introduction, immersion and mastery stages of interprofessional education. Discipline champions were recognised as critical for disrupting silos and promoting interprofessional education. Faculty development on interprofessional education was necessary to promote the shift towards collaborative practice in healthcare environments.
Presenters
Serela RamklassSenior Lecturer, School of Clinical Medicine, University of Kwazulu-Natal, Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
Interdisciplinary Health Sciences
KEYWORDS
Interprofessional Practice, Collaboration, Interprofessional Education, Health Professions Curricula
