Validation of an IPE checklist developed to guide the design and evaluation of interprofessional learning activities

Abstract

Despite Interprofessional Education (IPE) being integrated in most healthcare curricula with proven outcomes, barriers to implementation remain, including inconsistency in the quality of IPE activities and lack of high-quality instruments to evaluate the merit of planned and existing IPE activities. To mitigate these barriers, an interprofessional, multi-institutional team gathered data on the utility of an IPE checklist designed to assist educators evaluate the quality, value, and relevance of interprofessional resources and educational materials. A convergent, mixed method design was used to collect and analyze quantitative and qualitative data in parallel. Findings demonstrate the IPE checklist has real-world application and substantive evidence for evaluating IPE activities regardless of experience and expertise and the practical issues encountered. In conclusion, the IPE checklist can contribute to the evaluation of the quality of IPE activities and enhance the education of trainees who will ultimately deliver care to patients and populations.