Bridging the Gap: Building an Evidence-based Interprofessional Education Infrastructure in an Oncology-focused Academic Medical Center
By the end of this session, participants will be able to:
1. Describe the unique challenges and opportunities of implementing interprofessional education (IPE) in a specialized oncology-focused academic medical center without traditional undergraduate or graduate health professions pipelines.
2. Identify key infrastructure elements—including advisory committees, simulation-based learning, and faculty development programs—that support the establishment of a sustainable, evidence-based IPE framework.
3. Analyze outcome data and lessons learned from the implementation of Project IPE: Across the Institution to assess its impact on workforce readiness, team-based care, and alignment with the Quadruple Aim.
4. Apply practical, adaptable strategies to develop or enhance interprofessional education initiatives in diverse healthcare or academic settings, regardless of existing student pipelines.
Session Abstract:
Interprofessional Education (IPE) is a recognized driver of collaboration, workforce well-being, and patient-centered care. However, implementing IPE in an oncology-focused academic medical center—without the benefit of traditional undergraduate or graduate health profession pipelines—presents unique challenges and opportunities. This session will share the development, implementation, and evaluation of Project IPE: Across the Institution, launched in 2022 at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, to address these complexities and embed interprofessional practice into the fabric of the institution. Unlike traditional academic health centers, MD Anderson’s IPE initiative targeted practicing clinicians, researchers, post-graduate trainees, fellows, and other clinical and nonclinical staff across departments and disciplines. This diverse audience required innovative approaches to develop interprofessional skills outside the structure of formal degree programs. Infrastructure development included the creation of an internal IPE advisory committee, targeted faculty and staff development through TeamSTEPPS Master Training, simulation-based learning, microlearning modules, and participation in national programs such as CACHE’s VITAL and ePHIC programs These efforts were designed to foster a culture of teamwork, enhance care coordination, and advance the Quadruple Aim—improving patient outcomes, population health, care value, and workforce well-being. This session will present outcome data from the program’s early phases, including results of evaluation surveys, committee leadership insights, and simulation results not sure what you mean by simulation results. It will highlight key successes, address challenges such as competing clinical demands and learner variability, and share lessons learned in fostering institutional buy-in. Participants will gain practical, evidence-based strategies for designing, implementing, and sustaining IPE initiatives—even in organizations without traditional health professions education pipelines. Discussion will encourage knowledge-sharing among attendees to refine and adapt these strategies for diverse clinical and educational environments.