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

WASHINGTON, D.C., November 19, 2018 - 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) - in the Journal of Interprofessional Care (published online September 24, 2018). 
 
"The ability of healthcare practitioners to demonstrate interprofessional professionalism is essential to the delivery of quality care to patients, families, communities, and society," said 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.
 
"This cutting-edge assessment instrument and accompanying toolkit will serve as a catalyst to interprofessional professionalism, which will enhance health care and the health of the nation," said Dr. Deborah Trautman, President and CEO of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing. "AACN is proud to see this historic work move forward and ignite greater collaboration among the health professions."
 
In addition to the new journal article, the IPC has created an online toolkit to facilitate interprofessional professional, which includes the IPA Instrument, case scenario videos, an on-demand webinar, and related materials. To access these resources, see www.interprofessionalprofessionalism.org.
Categories: Policy & Advocacy, Press Release