New IPR Global Publication on the Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on IPECP Around the Globe

The Interprofessional Research Global (IPR Global) COVID Impact Survey Group is pleased to share that an article reporting the results of  Phase 1 of the survey, The perceived impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on interprofessional education and collaborative practice: preliminary results from phase I of a global survey, was published online by the Journal of Interprofessional Care authored by Andreas Xyrichis, Hossein Khalili, Dean Lising, Mukadder İ̇nci Baser Kolcu, Ghaidaa Najjar and Sylvia Langlois.

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a sizable effect on interprofessional education and collaborative practice (IPECP) globally, yet much of the available literature on the topic remains anecdotal and locally bounded. This body of literature reflects celebratory and aspirational reports, with many case studies of successful response and perseverance under conditions of extreme pressure. There is, however, a more worrisome narrative emerging that pointed to differences in pandemic response with concerns raised about the sustainability of IPECP during and after the pandemic. The COVID-19 task force of Interprofessional Research Global (IPR Global) set out to capture the successes and challenges of the interprofessional community over the pandemic through a longitudinal survey, with a view to inform global attempts at recovery and resilience. 

In this article, we report preliminary findings from Phase 1 of the survey. Phase 1 of the survey was sent to institutions/organizations in IPR Global (representing over 50 countries from Europe, North and South America, Australia, and Africa). The country-level response rate was over 50%. Key opportunities and challenges include the abrupt digitalization of collaborative learning and practice; de-prioritization of interprofessional education (IPE); and rise in interprofessional collaborative spirit. Implications for IPECP pedagogy, research, and policy post-pandemic are considered. 

To read the full paper, please visit https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/13561820.2023.2220739  

IPR Global Establishes New Strategic Alliances with National Academies of Practice and Canadian Interprofessional Health Collaborative

Interprofessional Research Global (IPRG)'s Partnership Development Working Group engaged in a systematic process using a defined rubric to evaluate potential relationships with other interprofessional organizations globally. Organizations were explored based on information available through their websites to determine potential alignment and the feasibility of pursuing a potential working relationship. The Canadian Interprofessional Health Collaborative (CIHC) and the National Academies of Practice (NAP) were two of the organizations that were identified which appeared to have strong alignment with the mission, vision, and interprofessional values of IPRG. 

In December 2022, IPRG approached NAP and CIHC to explore the possibility of engaging in a collaborative relationship on issues of mutual interest. In January 2023, leadership from NAP and leadership from CIHC each virtually met with the leadership of IPRG (President and members of the Partnership Development Working Group) to learn more about each other’s organization and to explore if, and specifically where, there might be areas of mutual synergy, interest, and strategic benefit between both organizations. 

Following these two meetings, the IPRG Partnership Development Working Group drafted a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) regarding the specific initiatives and information sharing that the leadership of both organizations had identified as potential areas for collaboration during the virtual conference call. A draft MOU was also shared with the leadership of IPRG to assess the feasibility of engaging in the specific initiatives and information sharing proposed for inclusion in the MOU. Following several iterations and revisions, the MOU between NAP and IPRG and CIHC and IPRG were finalized in May and signed by the leaders of each organization. 

NAP and CIHC will discuss next steps with IPRG toward operationalizing the partnership agreements. Specifically, they will consider how best to proceed with defined areas of mutual interest in the MOU - including priorities, timelines, communications and outreach, and overall coordination. We are excited about these two new strategic alliances with IPRG and look forward to initiatives of mutual benefit that can advance all of these organizations in the future!

For more information on Canadian Interprofessional Health Collaborative go to: https://www.cihc-cpis.com/

For more information about the National Academies of Practice go to: https://www.napractice.org/

For more information about Interprofessional Research Global go to: https://interprofessionalresearch.global/