Interprofessional Education
Interprofessional training is essential for effective healthcare delivery. Even as the healthcare practices increasingly embrace team-based care, for traditional professional degree programs like PharmD, MD, NP, DDS, education often takes place in silos.
However, this is not the case in the UIC College of Pharmacy. Bolstered by deep-rooted relationships with its fellow UIC health science colleges as well as a diverse array of community partners, the college is leading collaborative, team-based education as part of its PharmD program.
With broad curriculum options and experiential opportunities through community partnerships and collaborations, UIC PharmD students are equipped with interprofessional training that advances patient-centered care, addresses disparities, and tackles urgent public health concerns. These courses and experiences help students see that wherever pharmacists go, they can be collaborators and changemakers who create effective, sustainable programs that help people.
Examples of interprofessional offerings in the PharmD program
Foundations of Interprofessional Collaborative Practice (Year 1/P1)
This is course is designed specifically for early learners in UIC’s health science programs. Students who are just getting started in their health professions education gain understanding of foundational concepts in Interprofessional Collaborative Practice.
Interprofessional Collaborative Practice in HIV Prevention and Care (Year 2/P2)
With this course, students discover how Interprofessional Collaborative Practice (ICP) positively affects the lives of persons living with HIV/AIDS and contributes to preventing new infections. You will gain foundational knowledge of HIV prevention and care and develop your abilities to work as a member of a collaborative interprofessional health care team. The program is designed to inspire a lifelong commitment to ICP and to continued learning about HIV prevention and care. Exploring options for involvement in HIV prevention and care within your future career is a primary emphasis.
Scholars and Leaders in Interprofessional Geriatrics (Year 2/P2)
This course provides a rich learning experience for health science students through mentoring and guidance by experienced interprofessional faculty. At the heart of this course is active learning with discussion and reflection on the unique qualities and needs of older adults, across life phases in a variety of care settings. The teaching and learning focus on how an integrated team of interprofessional health practitioners can optimize the health, well-being, and quality of life of older adults.
Interprofessional Immersion Day (Year 3/P3)
In the Immersion Day event, students are immersed in an interprofessional learning experience of two newly developed case-based applications utilizing video simulations and small interprofessional group interactions. These are designed to develop knowledge, attitudes and skills needed for collaborative team-based, patient-centered care. Learners discuss communication/collaboration with primary care, school-based resources, and influence of social determinants of health.
Interprofessional Approaches to Health Disparities (IAHD) PMPR 445/446 (Year 3/P3)
The IAHD is a longitudinal interprofessional course offered to students in UIC’s health professions colleges. Course work is grounded in social determinants of health and campus-community partnerships with Chicago Area Community Agencies addressing health disparities through serving especially vulnerable groups: the elderly, persons living with HIV/AIDS, the homeless, immigrants &refugees, incarcerated populations and survivors of intimate partner violence.
Testimonials
“All members of the healthcare team must be aware of the value others bring to inform care. By providing this interprofessional training to our students early on and preparing them for these interactions, they will be better prepared to move forward in the practice world.”
| Dean of the College
“Pharmacists are so much more a part of the team than they were 10-20 years ago, and this program sets the stage for all students to understand that and carry that knowledge forward with them.”
| Associate Dean of Academic Affairs
“Simply having a lecture together is not enough, and that’s why we’re continually working to develop opportunities for students from multiple disciplines to work together regularly in these more interactive settings. This will help them recognize the talents and skills others possess and learn when and how to rely on their other healthcare colleagues.”
| Vice Dean, Rockford Campus
How interprofessional collaboration improves health outcomes in marginalized populations
In this clip, Dr. Koronkowski talks about how working in interprofessional teams produces better health outcomes, particularly during the Covid-19 pandemic.
