What is Interprofessional Health?

The IHC uses the terms interdisciplinary and interprofessional interchangeably. Most current professional education involves students, all from the same discipline or profession, mastering a specific body of knowledge, types of skills and modes of conduct.

Multiprofessional education occurs when students from the health-related occupations with different educational backgrounds are brought together to understand a particular problem or experience.

Interprofessional education occurs when students from various professions learn from and about each other to improve collaboration and the quality of care.  Their interactions are characterized by integration and modification reflecting participants understanding of the core principles and concepts of each contributing discipline and familiarity with the basic language and mindsets of the various disciplines (Clark, P.G. (1993).

Clark, P. G. (1993), Journal of Interprofessional Care, 7(3), p. 219-220.

Rationale for Interprofessional Health Care Teams

I. Interprofessional health care team work can facilitate:

  1. More effective and efficient patient care, patients benefit from receiving care from the health care health professional with the expertise specific to the patient's individual problem, team work can provide coordination which can prevent any aspect of the patient's care from being overlooked or shortchanged
  2. Professional growth and job satisfaction, which results from doing the work you have studied and trained for
  3. Understanding of how the health professions can work together to enhance health promotion, public health, prevention, interdisciplinary research, community based participatory research and many other health related but not specifically patient care oriented activities
  4. Economy in health care costs, e.g., eliminating duplication, and delays in care provision
  5. Enhanced breadth of knowledge and appreciation for the skills and knowledge of other health professionals, above and beyond roles in team work

II. Interprofessional initiatives can benefit:

  1. Health sciences students
  2. Health sciences educators
  3. Health care practitioners and clinicians working in teams
  4. Patients and families
III. Positive attitudes about health care team work can be promoted and enhanced by increased knowledge and skill in professional communication and cultural effectiveness.