Transforming Innovative Interprofessional Education (IPE) in the Metaverse
This 60-minute seminar will immerse participants in the transformative potential of the metaverse as a tool for advancing interprofessional education (IPE). Building on an institutional case study from West Coast University, the presenters will demonstrate how immersive virtual environments were used to reimagine a traditional IPE Day—creating an inclusive, engaging, and accessible space where learners from multiple health professions could collaborate in real time.
Attendees will experience a guided tour of the virtual event, which included avatar-based interaction, a dynamic speaker series, and a virtual exhibition hall designed to simulate real-world collaborative practice. The presenters will discuss the planning, technological platforms (e.g., FrameVR, Gather), and instructional design that made the event possible, and share learner feedback that supports the model’s efficacy. This interactive session will empower educators and clinicians to implement scalable, virtual IPE strategies that prepare students to work in team-based, digital, and hybrid healthcare environments.
Aligned with the Nexus Summit 2025 theme—“Preparing Students for Interprofessional Collaborative Practice”—this seminar centers on how immersive learning technologies can enhance IPE engagement, especially among geographically distributed or marginalized learners. By simulating the complexities of team-based care in a virtual world, students learn about, from, and with each other in new, deeply collaborative ways. The session emphasizes how innovative IPE formats support the development of competencies critical to the future of health care, including communication, role clarity, and systems-based practice.
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.