Demonstrating a Nurse-Driven Model for Interprofessional Academic-Practice Partnerships

ABSTRACT

The World Health Organization (WHO) describes interprofessional practice (IPP) as "...multiple health workers from different professional backgrounds working] together with patients, families, caregivers, and communities to deliver the highest quality of care" (WHO. 2010. The WHO deemed that interprofessional education and practice (IPEP) is vital to attain a workforce that Is ready and able to care for local health needs through teamwork and collaboration (WHO. 201 Oh Interprofessional teams are critical in the care of acute, chronic, and complex health and social support needs of COVID-19 patients (Michalec & Lamb. 20201.1 PE and IPP are so essential to care that accreditation bodies have come together to provide guidance about how to embed these activities throughout all health professions programs (Health Professions Accreditors Collaborative. 2019). When delivered Intentionally, IPEP has the potential to achieve the Quadruple Aim (i.e., Improved quality, Increased population health, reduced costs, and improved clinician experience), with teamwork playing a large part In the achievement of the fourth aim: addressing the needs of healthcare workers, and reducing stressors experienced by the past, current, and future healthcare workforce, including nurses (Bachvnskv. 2020 Nurses have demonstrated that they are In an ideal position on the healthcare team to meet the additional demands placed on health services (e.g., contact tracing, testing, vaccine administration) and increased demand for staff, resources, policies, and supplies by the COVID-19 pandemic, all of which threaten an already overtaxed system (Diabv et al„ 2021).