Applying Effective IPECP Messaging in Resource Development for Health Professions Education and Practice
Background/Rationale: The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) is implementing efforts to advance interprofessional education and collaborative practice (IPECP). Barriers to IPECP have been noted in ASHA member perspectives: not fully understanding IPECP as unique from multi- or interdisciplinary services and a lack of perceived added value. ASHA engaged a communication consulting firm in 2019 to assist with developing effective messaging that enhances understanding of the IPECP construct across stakeholders and practice settings. The information gleaned was applied to the development of education, practice, and research resources in 2020-2022.
Methods/Methodology: The effectiveness of IPECP messaging, positioning, and branding was evaluated via focus groups and extant data. Messaging was developed to include overarching messages about what IPECP is and why it is important. Additional tailored messages were developed and evaluated through a qualitative interview process with ASHA members and members of related professions. In 2020 -2022, ASHA applied the effective messaging to the development of a compendium of multi-media resources to better engage stakeholders in IPECP.
Results/Findings: Information gained from stakeholder interviews and review of educational materials revealed differing stakeholder perspectives about IPECP, its applicability, and motivation for engagement or lack of engagement. This poster will show how to disseminate more effective IPECP resources. For example, an online “Hub” for IPECP was created. Practical "how-to" resources help members learn more about IPECP and incorporate it effectively and successfully into their practice. The new web-based resources are user-friendly to better define IPE and IPP, explore the benefits of IPE/IPP, and include case studies, videos, and rubrics for effective team collaboration. There is also a research section that incorporates an evidence map and guidance on planning and funding new research.
The new IPE/IPP digital resources garnered an overall 180% increase in new webpage views vs old webpage views. Analytics from 2021 showed increased views of the new digital resources including a
• 30% increase in IPE/IPP homepage views,
• 107% increase in views of “what is IPE/IPP” resources,
• 64% increase in views of expanded case studies, and
• 16% of all views were of the new “How To” resource section.
Conclusions/Implications: Strategies for mitigating informational gaps with effective messaging were addressed. Newly developed resources reflecting effective IPECP messaging for use by multiple health professions in education and practice are available. Tips for effectively using the resources along with illustrative examples of relevant learning opportunities will be provided to bridge education to practice, and research.
