On May 25th and 26th, UniCamillus hosted the InterProfessional Educazion (IPE Days). These two days were dedicated to Interprofessional Education, something which the World Health Organization has been recommending for all healthcare training programmes since 2010. In most cases, universities teach different subjects in the medical and healthcare fields separately. Often, there is little academic interaction between students and tutors from various branches of health professions, as if they were isolated compartments. This approach, in the modern conception that is being promoted globally in healthcare systems, represents an anachronistic contradiction. After all, healthcare professionals are expected to work well together once they enter the real working world, so they can provide the best possible patient care. However, if they are never taught how to collaborate effectively and if there is no habit of doing so, everything remains purely theoretical.
In this context, UniCamillus has decided to play its part in changing this practice. Last week, the IPE day was organized, promoted by the IPE Team* of UniCamillus, conceived and coordinated by Prof. Fabio D’Agostino, a professor at UniCamillus, with the collaboration of Prof. Peter Brooks, an international expert in Interprofessional Education and an associate professor at Grossmont College in San Diego, California. The University welcomed two distinguished international experts in Interprofessional Education from Australia: Melissa Ciardulli and Debra Kiegaldie, members of the Faculty of Health Sciences at the Holmesglen Institute in Melbourne. UniCamillus IPE Team guided students through a series of simulated clinical case studies, teaching them the most appropriate techniques for each specific situation.
The project proved to be an extraordinarily valuable learning experience, enabling students to acquire the necessary foundations for proper communication and collaboration with their future colleagues. The importance and real educational value of these activities were underscored by the participation of UniCamillus tutors and staff in the simulations.
As explained by the experts themselves, Interprofessional Education for healthcare professionals has shown itself to reduce errors and incidents in healthcare settings. Collaboration between healthcare providers can save a significant amount of time in reaching a diagnosis. A wide range of benefits can ensue from IPE: for students, who will become future professionals; for hospital administrators; for the continuing professional growth of healthcare providers; and ultimately for patients, who will receive more efficient and safer care in the future.
* UniCamillus IPE Team: Ms. Alessandra Carlizza, Dr. Anna Berardi, Dr. Antonella Palumbo, Dr. Dhurata Ivziku, Ms. Francesca Marchetti, Dr Giovanni Sellitto, Dr. Ilaria Erba, Dr. Ippolito Notarnicola, Dr. Maria Chiara Figura, Dr. Noemi Giannetta, Dr. Vittoria Giordano, Prof. Alessandro Boccanelli, Prof. Fabio D’Agostino, Prof. Roberta Lione.
