What is Interprofessional Education (IPE)?

Interprofessional education (IPE) "occurs when two or more professions (students, residents and health workers) learn with, about, and from each other to enable effective collaboration and improve health outcomes”.

IPE at the University at Buffalo

Within UB’s health professions programs, interprofessional education provides every student the opportunity to become an effective collaborative healthcare practitioner by learning teamwork and communication skills.

Vision
UB is recognized as a national leader in the development of caring healthcare professionals who transform healthcare delivery through high quality interprofessional collaborative practice.

Mission
To prepare highly competent healthcare professionals who improve health outcomes by excelling in interprofessional communication, teamwork, and the provision of safe, ethical patient- and population-centered care.

Behling Simulation Center.

Participating Schools

The IPE and Collaborative Practice program is endorsed by the Deans of the participating schools.

Goals

We will achieve our mission by incorporating interprofessional education into the existing curricula. High-impact interprofessional educational experiences will prepare our health professions students to enter the workforce as effective interprofessional collaborative practitioners.

Behling training; Photo: Douglas Levere.

UB health sciences students during a TeamSTEPPS training session in the Behling Simulation Center.

Our initiatives include the development and implementation of:

  • An experiential curriculum including simulation, community-based service, and clinical practice to promote achievement of the Interprofessional Education Collaborative core competencies. Students and faculty will
    • work together in an atmosphere of mutual respect and shared values
    • understand the scope of practice of other health professionals and providers
    • develop effective communication skills to ensure high quality patient care
    • perform effectively in different team roles to plan, deliver, and evaluate safe, effective patient-centered care 
  • Faculty development initiatives that promote collaboration and scholarship
  • Leadership and research in innovative educational strategies and experiences