The Next Frontier: Utilizing ELearning as an Innovative Approach to Advance Interprofessionalism
Interprofessional Education (IPE) is when two or more health and social care professions learn with, from, and about each other during all or part of their education/training in order to cultivate collaborative, team-based, and patient-centered healthcare delivery. A majority of IPE leaders and instructors have focused on providing in-person, face-to-face learning activities, programs, and courses. Yet, as with all of education, because of COVID-19 faculty were forced to restructure and pivot their IPE opportunities to online and virtual formats. Although in-person IPE will more than likely remain the desired standard, given the persistent nature of COVID-19 and consistent struggles to integrate face-to-face IPE because of time, space, and attitudinal constraints, it is essential to continue to expand the virtual (clinical) interprofessional learning environment.
The integration of eLearning programs (i.e. online educational and training modules) into existing health professions curriculum utilizes the multidimensional space of education and training without adding new courses to already overburdened curricula, and in turn, evades the stigma of “extra work” or “added on” as it is nested within already occurring coursework and program requirements. Moreover, the (often) asynchronous nature of these programs allows learners of all stages to engage with material at their own pace, meeting learners where they are, and taking into consideration learners’ various work-related and personal roles, responsibilities, and requirements (i.e. CE).
As experts in the field of designing eLearning programs specifically for advancing Interprofessional Education and interprofessionalism, the CAIPER team will lead a workshop that outlines a step-by-step “how to” guide to identifying, developing, administering, and marketing/promoting an eLearning program. Participants will have the opportunity to not only map-out the topic(s) and structure of their own interprofessional eLearning program, but also strategize and build their own related business canvas as a first step to launching program development.
In support of improving patient care, this activity is planned and implemented by The National Center for Interprofessional Practice and Education Office of Interprofessional Continuing Professional Development (OICPD). The OICPD is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.
The National Center OICPD is approved by the Board of Certification, Inc. to provide continuing education to Athletic Trainers (ATs). This program is eligible for Category A hours/CEUs. ATs should claim only those hours actually spent in the educational program.
This activity was planned by and for the healthcare team, and learners will receive Interprofessional Continuing Education (IPCE) credit for learning and change.
Physicians: The National Center for Interprofessional Practice and Education designates this live activity for AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with their participation.
Physician Assistants: The American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA) accepts credit from organizations accredited by the ACCME.
Nurses: Participants will be awarded contact hours of credit for attendance at this workshop.
Nurse Practitioners: The American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Program (AANPCP) accepts credit from organizations accredited by the ACCME and ANCC.
Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians: This activity is approved for contact hours.
Athletic Trainers: This program is eligible for Category A hours/CEUs. ATs should claim only those hours actually spent in the educational program.
Social Workers: As a Jointly Accredited Organization, the National Center is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved under this program. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. The National Center maintains responsibility for this course. Social workers completing this course receive continuing education credits.
IPCE: This activity was planned by and for the healthcare team, and learners will receive Interprofessional Continuing Education (IPCE) credits for learning and change.