In many health professions, learners are typically in silos. Nurses learn with nurses. Physicians learn with physicians. Social workers learn with social workers. Pharmacists learn with pharmacists. Upon graduation, the expectation is that clinicians are capable of working as a team but sometimes, they haven't developed the skillset to do so successfully.
How might we create expert teams instead of teams of experts in health care?
Research and practical experience show patients who are cared for by groups of clinicians that understand the elements of teamwork have better outcomes. As a result, OSF Innovation places high importance on developing curriculum and simulation that teaches and trains people about the fundamentals of working as a team to improve their capabilities in the field.
The purpose of the Interprofessional Education (IPE) Lab is to find innovative ways and unique formats to expand this work. The hope is to reach learners where they are and ensure clinicians and trainees learn how to work effectively as a team in a variety of circumstances. Those circumstances might range from a community health worker interacting with clinicians in a primary care office to groups of clinicians working together in an operating room.
This lab will use technology and techniques available now and develop new ones to achieve its goal of building experts teams instead of teams of experts. By building better medical teams, the IPE Lab can truly transform health care delivery and improve outcomes not just for patients but for people around the world.
If you are interested in learning more about the Interpersonal Education Lab, participating in certain aspects of the journey or if you want to invest or collaborate, contact us today.