Introducing IPECP
NNI has launched its Interprofessional Education and Collaborative Practice (IPECP) programme in October 2018, for better team-based care through collaborative education and training across health professionals.
Explains A/Prof Kevin Tan, Education Director and Senior Consultant, Department of Neurology, NNI, “The term IPECP was chosen because we believe that education is closely linked to collaborative practice, which is when health professionals from different professional backgrounds work together to deliver patient care. “
A/Prof Tan states that “There is research evidence that Interprofessional Education (IPE) promotes Interprofessional Collaborative Practice (IPCP) by breaking down silos of fragmented and episodic care, and encourages coordinated and continuous care instead.”
To foster a culture of interprofessional collaborative practice, the main strategies include understanding staff attitudes towards teamwork, internal and external training in team-based care, and alignment of the inter-professional learning with inter-professional learning.
A/Prof Tan says that the programme is promising and has potential for wider impact. Noting NNI’s current care delivery approach already involves nurses and doctors across clinical departments working along-side one another, “We want to use this opportunity to improve existing and build new clinical teams, services and programmes that takes IPECP into consideration.”
The IPECP logo comprises a 4-person huddle signifying teamwork while the cross symbolizes the team’s focus on patient care. The orange gradient represents energy and diverse perspectives from various health professionals.
