Interprofessional Education (IPE) focuses on an education process where students from two or more different health professions work together to learn about, from, and with each other to enable collaboration and improve health outcomes. UNMC has been involved with IPE since 2010 and has taken the position that IPE is a priority for health professions education.
Working with the UNMC College of Nursing
The College of Dentistry and the Lincoln division of the UNMC College of Nursing have embarked on a hands-on approach to IPE.
- Each fall, all new dental and nursing students get together for an IPE group activity stressing the importance of teamwork.
- In 2011, nursing students began participating in the College of Dentistry's Children’s Dental Day. Nursing students take the children's vitals and perform other physical testing, then assist dental and dental hygiene students in providing care.
- Nursing students also participate in the College of Dentistry's SHARING Clinic where they take vitals and perform visual checks of incoming patients.
- The College of Dentistry also works with area nursing homes to provide oral health training to nursing home staff.
UNMC Student Alliance for Global Health
The Student Alliance for Global Health organizes annual medical service trips to Nicaragua, Jamaica, Costa Rica and an American Indian Reservation. College of Dentistry students work with an interdisciplinary team of students from across UNMC to provide much-needed medical care to the underserved.
UNMC IPE Competencies
- Respect the unique cultures, values, roles/responsibilities, and expertise of other health professions.
- Work in cooperation with those who receive care, those who provide care, and others who contribute to or support the delivery of prevention and health services.
- Communicate with team members to clarify each member’s responsibility in executing components of a treatment plan or public health intervention.
- Forge interdependent relationship with other professions to improve care and advance learning.
- Listen actively and encourage the ideas and opinions of other team members.
- Describe the process of team development and the roles and practices of effective teams.
- Develop consensus on the ethical principles to guide all aspects of patients care and team work.