This Lightning Talk will describe how our institution uses a mock debate between various interprofessional health profession learners to explore the ethical considerations of whether an individual should be listed on a transplant registry. This unique format simulates discussions that often take place during ethics consults and challenges students to apply their individual professions’ codes of conduct to a realistic case while working as part of an interprofessional team. Students gain important experience collaborating with peers from other health professions and are challenged to consider the unique perspectives of their colleagues, thus preparing them for future interprofessional collaborative practice.
This mock debate is held within one of the four modules the University of Wisconsin-Madison Center for Interprofessional Practice and Education (UW CIPE) offers to health profession students – all aligned with the IPEC Core Competencies: Teams and Teamwork, Communication, Roles and Responsibilities, and Values and Ethics which help build foundations in interprofessional education and collaborative practice among our students.
In Spring 2025, UW CIPE coordinated an Interprofessional Values and Ethics Competency Module that was attended by 365 students from nine different health sciences programs. Students were given a case describing a 25-year-old man living with alcoholism and limited social support who was under consideration for liver transplant. The students were divided into two teams, one arguing in favor of listing the patient for transplant while the other argued against. Organizers ensured that a variety of health professions were represented on each team and guided the session through opening arguments, rebuttals, and then facilitated debriefs on the debate experience. In creating their arguments, students were directed to develop a rationale for their assigned stance, drawing on the IPEC Competencies. Prior to the session, each student completed pre-work related to their profession’s code of conduct.
Presenters will demonstrate how this debate format provides a unique opportunity for students to explore complex ethical problems with colleagues from other health professions. The format also encourages students to utilize specific skills including developing a coherent argument, arguing respectfully for a position, engaging with others from different professions, and collaborating effectively to arrive at a decision in a complex ethical case. The structure of the module and teaching strategies used to support interprofessional collaborative practice will be discussed. Quantitative and qualitative data will be shared to facilitate discussion on how such learning format cultivates skills as members of an interprofessional team.
In support of improving patient care, this activity is planned and implemented by The National Center for Interprofessional Practice and Education Office of Interprofessional Continuing Professional Development (National Center OICPD). The National Center OICPD is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.
As a Jointly Accredited Provider, the National Center is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved under this program. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. The National Center maintains responsibility for this course. Social workers completing this course receive continuing education credits.
The National Center OICPD (JA#: 4008105) is approved by the Board of Certification, Inc. to provide continuing education to Athletic Trainers (ATs).
This activity was planned by and for the healthcare team, and learners will receive Interprofessional Continuing Education (IPCE) credit for learning and change.
Physicians: The National Center for Interprofessional Practice and Education designates this live activity for AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with their participation.
Physician Assistants: The American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA) accepts credit from organizations accredited by the ACCME.
Nurses: Participants will be awarded contact hours of credit for attendance at this workshop.
Nurse Practitioners: The American Academy of Nurse Practitioners Certification Program (AANPCP) accepts credit from organizations accredited by the ACCME and ANCC.
Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians: This activity is approved for contact hours.
Athletic Trainers: This program is eligible for Category A hours/CEUs. ATs should claim only those hours actually spent in the educational program.
Social Workers: As a Jointly Accredited Organization, the National Center is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved under this program. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. The National Center maintains responsibility for this course. Social workers completing this course receive continuing education credits.
IPCE: This activity was planned by and for the healthcare team, and learners will receive Interprofessional Continuing Education (IPCE) credits for learning and change.
Learners can claim CE credit by completing the Daily Evaluation.
