173 Interprofessional Education (IPE) in Healthcare Simulation with Dr Karen Dickinson


What do we really mean by ‘IPE’? And how can we design and deliver simulations for IPE outcomes? 

In this episode, Vic speaks with Dr Karen Dickinson about her work in IPE at the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences in Little Rock, AR., where she is an Assistant Professor of Surgery and the Director of IPE Simulation and Clinical Skills Training. 

Karen gave us an overview of work in the area of IPE – “learning about, from, and with other professions”. Groups such as the Interprofessional Education Collaborative (IPEC) offer resources such as this scoping review of IPE and patient care and this Institutional Assessment Instrument (readers can evaluate their IPE efforts locally) 

We spoke about the differences and similarities between ‘IPE’ and ‘team training’ in sim and the barriers and enablers of this kind of work.  

Karen cited some examples, including interprofessional trauma simulations, and the mock trial involving health professions and law students,  (previously discussed on Simulcast!) 

A cross-cutting theme was that success requires a thoughtful change management strategy, including institutional alignment, deep engagement with stakeholders, and using evidence-informed approaches. 

Thanks to Dr Karen Dickinson for her insights