IPR.Global Scholar Spotlight - Dr. Aayesha Kholvadia, Nelson Mandela University (South Africa)

Fostering Collaboration and Innovation in Interprofessional Education and Research at Nelson Mandela University.

 Who Are You? Where Are You From? And What Is Your Role

I am Dr. Aayesha Kholvadia, a dedicated senior lecturer, HOD, and researcher and the IPE chairperson at Nelson Mandela University, within the Faculty of Health Sciences. My role involves advancing interprofessional education (IPE) and research, with specific focus areas on fostering collaborative practices among healthcare professionals. This includes bringing education and engagement to the three schools within our faculty: the School of Medicine, Clinical and Medicinal Sciences, and the School of Lifestyle and Behavioural Sciences. Originating from and working in Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth), a city in the Eastern Cape, I am acutely aware of the health inequality challenges in both curative and preventative health in our region. I am committed to promoting innovation and cooperation in health education and practice at NMU.

How Did You First Get Involved in Interprofessional Education and Research?

I am Dr. Aayesha Kholvadia, a dedicated senior lecturer, HOD, and researcher at Nelson Mandela University, within the Faculty of Health Sciences. My role involves advancing interprofessional education (IPE) and research, with specific focus areas on fostering collaborative practices among healthcare professionals. This includes bringing education and engagement to the three schools within our faculty: the School of Medicine, Clinical and Medicinal Sciences, and the School of Lifestyle and Behavioural Sciences. Originating from and working in Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth), a city in the Eastern Cape, I am acutely aware of the health inequality challenges in both curative and preventative health in our region. I am committed to promoting innovation and cooperation in health education and practice at NMU.

My journey into interprofessional education and research began during my early career as a PhD candidate at Wits, where one objective focused on the multidisciplinary management of knee osteoarthritis. Additionally, I was involved in IPE sessions where different departments in the faculty worked together on cases, witnessing the transformative impact of collaborative practice on patient outcomes. This inspired me to pursue further studies and research in IPE, eventually leading to my current role where collaborative practice is a focal point of my research, engagement, and teaching.

I am a member of The Network: Towards Unity for Health (TUFH) and the African Interprofessional Education Network (AfrIPEN), both national and international bodies dedicated to collaborative healthcare.  Further I am supervising PG students in the discipline area (3 PhD and 2 Masters and 2 undergraduate). Research collaboration with Prof W Burdick from the University of Philadelphia 

What Achievement Are You Most Proud of in the Area of Interprofessional Education and Research?

I am most proud of several significant achievements in the field of interprofessional education and research. I was a guest and invited speaker at the TUFH conference in Vancouver, Canada in 2022, which provided a platform to share insights and advancements in IPE on an international stage. Additionally, I serve as the chairperson of our faculty's IPE committee, where I lead efforts to integrate collaborative practices across different departments. I have also contributed to the academic literature, with my most recent publication being a literature review in the Patient Experience Journal titled "Patients’ Perceptions of Interprofessional Collaboration: A Scoping Review." These accomplishments have not only advanced the field but also significantly benefited our community and demonstrated the power of interprofessional collaboration.

What Does IPR.Global Mean to You?

To me, IPR.Global represents a dynamic platform for knowledge exchange, collaboration, and innovation. It is a community that unites scholars and practitioners from around the world, dedicated to enhancing interprofessional education and research, and ultimately improving global health outcomes.

Pineapple on Pizza: Yes or No?

Pineapple definitely belongs on pizza! There’s people who eat pizza without pineapple? Is that even legal? 😊

Email: Aayesha.Kholvadia@mandela.ac.za

AfrIPEN Studying State of IPE in Undergraduate Health Professions Education in Africa

The Africa Interprofessional Education Network (AfrIPEN) will be embarking research project to study Interprofessional Education in Africa. On behalf of AfrIPEN, Dr Gerard Filies [B.Sc. (OT), M.Phil (Health ScEd), PhD] recently presented a poster 2022 TUFH Virtual Regional Conference for Africa on the project along with collaborators Champion Nyoni PhD and Elize Pietersen PhD.

The research question is: 

What is the state of IPE in undergraduate health professions education in Africa? 

The objectives of the study are: 

1. To map HPE that offer IPE programmes in Africa
2. To describe the nature of IPE programmes offered in HPE institutions in Africa
3. To describes gaps in IPE in Africa. 

A detailed description of IPE programmes/activities in HEI in Africa is essential. This study would provide important foundational information related to the extent of the integration of IPE activities in undergraduate education at HEIs. This information would be important in supporting interventions towards region-wide IPE activities and harmonised policy development related to IPE in Africa. 

This project is part of the Africa Interprofessional Education Network (AfrIPEN)’s initiatives towards supporting, advocating for and enhancing IPE in mainstream health professions education in the African continent. 

For more information contact: gfilies@uwc.ac.za

IPR.Global Scholar Spotlight - Hanlie Pitout, Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (South Africa)

Hello, this is Hanlie Pitout and I am an occupational therapist by profession who worked initially as a clinician where I experienced the value of collaborative team work. Now I am a lecturer at Sefako Makgatho Health Sciences University (SMU) in Pretoria, South Africa in the Occupational Therapy Department. I am also a PhD candidate researching the development of an IPECP module for final year students. I coordinate IPECP at SMU. I am a proud member of the AfrIPEN Board, of SAAHE IPECP committee and of AfriVIPE steering committee. I am also part of the Dirisana project which is a collaborative project with different national and international universities. 

Throughout my career I have been passionate about working with colleagues from different professions. I have experienced the value of working in a team with colleagues from a variety of professions to ensure quality health care in my job as an occupational therapist in a tertiary hospital. At SMU I was introduced to IPE in 2012 where we started a small interprofessional event for students from three professions. Currently there are four Schools including ten professions involved. Our focus was initially on final year students but we plan to involve all year levels soon in a longitudinal curriculum. In deciding on my PhD I wanted to establish IPECP at the university for all health care students. My other passion is research and especially collaborative research. 

I value the experience that I gained through attendance of and presentations during the AfrIPEN congresses. I learned so much from colleagues at other universities. Publishing in IPE is not easy but I was privileged to be part of the special edition of the Journal for Interprofessional Care on IPE in Africa.

I see IPR.Global as an international vehicle for networking and sharing resources in order to establish a scientific basis for IPECP worldwide. IPR.Global is important for all role players, as it offers the latest information on IPECP. 

And finally, should pineapple be on pizza? Yes or No?

I love pizza – with or without pineapple. What I do not like on pizza is banana. 

Email: Hanlie.Pitout@smu.ac.za

IPR.Global Scholar Spotlight - Dr. Gérard Filies, University of the Western Cape (South Africa)

My name is Dr. Gérard Filies, and I am a registered Occupational Therapist by profession with a B.Sc. (Occupational Therapy) degree from the University of the Western Cape. I also have an M.Phil. (Health Sciences Education) Master’s degree from Stellenbosch University and obtained a PhD degree from the University of the Western Cape (UWC). My wife, Dr Sylnita Swartz-Filies, and I made history at UWC in 2018 by being the first married couple to both graduate with PhD degrees in the same ceremony. We were acknowledged by the Occupational Therapy Association of South Africa as the first married Occupational Therapy couple to achieve this accolade in the Western Cape. In 2019 we received the platinum award for the most inspirational couple from the I Do Magazine annual award ceremony in Johannesburg. The title of my PhD study was: Development of an interprofessional education model that aims to instill the core competencies of interprofessional collaborative practice in allied health students’ curriculum. 

At UWC, I am employed as a full time senior lecturer within the Interprofessional Education Unit (IPEU) in the Faculty of Community & Health Sciences. Responsibilities include: curriculum development, lectures, research, facilitation of faculty development workshops, co-ordination of interprofessional activities with postgraduate and undergraduate students, interprofessional supervision of students; and development of community sites for interprofessional placement of students for fieldwork. Research areas of interest include: Interprofessional Education, Service-Learning, Health Promotion, Primary Health Care and Community-Based Education. His current research project includes the use of 3D printing in interprofessional education and collaborative practice. Current teaching responsibilities at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels are: Primary Health Care, Interdisciplinary Health Promotion, Interprofessional Education World Café workshops, Interprofessional Ethics and Shared Research Methods. I am part of a team and was appointed as convenor for driving the process for registration and accreditation of the Postgraduate Diploma in Interprofessional Education and Health – a first of its kind in the Western Cape, if not a first in South Africa. The programme is currently being planned for implementation in August 2021. 

I have been invited by the Universities of Missouri and Winston Salem State University in the United States of America to develop their Interprofessional Education curriculum in 2018 and 2019. I was also invited to the Nelson Mandela University in 2019 as a guest speaker for interprofessional education and has facilitated a webinar series on interprofessional education and collaborative practice between 2019 and 2020 as part of capacity development for faculty members. I also served as the secretariat of the African Interprofessional Network (AfrIPEN) from 2017 to 2018 and is a member of Interprofessional Research.Global (IPR.Global).

Contact Dr. Gérard Filies: gfilies@uwc.ac.za

Interprofessional Research.Global Scholar Spotlight is a regular feature that highlights member research in Interprofessional Education and Collaborative Practice.  

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