Uniting Saint Louis University's interprofessional education program with organizational learning: A theory-based model to guide IP education and practice

BackgroundStrengthening the bridge between interprofessional education and interprofessional collaborative practice to expand the integration of effective team-based health care requires new models within the health care system. Recent calls in the literature have asked for interprofessional research to do a better job of incorporating theories and explanatory models. We propose the use of organizational learning theory as an approach to modeling and supporting interprofessional collaborative practice.MethodsThe current paper applies the five disciplines of organizational learning to the organization of interprofessional education competencies and course objectives in a university interprofessional education program.ResultsThe model also provides a guide for healthcare administrators who may utilize organizational learning theory and who support the enhancement of interprofessional collaborative practice.ConclusionFuture research could work to evaluate these objectives and competencies of health professions graduates to see how individuals contribute to organizational learning and change once in the field.