Evidence-Based Interprofessional Professionalism Assessment Tool Profiled in New Journal Article

AACP Article

For Immediate Release

Contact: Maureen Thielemans, 703-408-6140

Arlington, Va. — The Interprofessional Professionalism Collaborative (IPC) is pleased to announce the publication of its landmark article: The Intersection of Professionalism and Interprofessional Care: Development and Initial Testing of the Interprofessional Professionalism Assessment (IPA). The final published article is now on Taylor and Francis Online. The article will be assigned to a future issue of the Journal of Interprofessional Care.

IPC is a group of collaborating organizations, including AACP, that represent the health professions whose mission is to advance the construct of interprofessional professionalism as the intersection between professionalism and interprofessional education, practice and research.

“The ability of healthcare practitioners to demonstrate interprofessional professionalism is essential to the delivery of quality care to patients, families, communities, and society.”

Dr. Jody Frost, education consultant and IPC facilitator

“As profiled in the Journal of Interprofessional Care, the new psychometrically sound assessment instrument developed by IPC can be applied in both academic and practice settings to cultivate environments that promote interprofessional professionalism and collaborative care models.”

The IPA measures observable behaviors of healthcare professionals-in-training that demonstrate professionalism and collaboration, which are essential to person-centered care. The instrument was created and evaluated over several years through a comprehensive, multi-phasic process, which included the development of a construct and observable behaviors; instrument design, expert review, and cognitive interviews; and psychometric testing. The IPA contains 26 items representing six domains of professionalism (altruism and caring, excellence, ethics, respect, communication, accountability), and was tested by 233 preceptors who rated health profession learners in the final year of their practical training. The IPA instrument was created by the IPC, a national group representing 12 entry-level health professions and one medical education assessment organization.

“Pharmacy educators have long championed interprofessional education and collaborative practice,” said Dr. Lucinda L. Maine, executive vice president and CEO of the American Association of Colleges of Pharmacy. “This important assessment instrument and the tool kit to guide its use will enhance our members’ work and move us closer to our vision of creating a world of healthy people supported by highly professional teams.”

In addition to the new journal article, the IPC has created an online tool kit to facilitate interprofessional professional, which includes the IPA Instrument, case scenario videos, an on-demand webinar, and related materials. To access these resources, visit the IPC website.

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Founded in 1900, AACP is the national organization representing the interests of pharmacy education. AACP is comprised of 143 accredited colleges and schools with pharmacy degree programs, including more than 6,600 faculty, 63,800 students enrolled in professional programs and 5,800 individuals pursuing graduate study. To learn more about AACP, visit www.aacp.org.