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.
