Interprofessional Education and Collaborative Practice (IPECP) 2022

HKU IPECP model enables our students to transition developmentally following the 3C framework: Tier 1 (Literacy), Tier 2 (Simulation) and Tier 3 (Collaboration). For Tier 1, we taught students about the fundamentals of interprofessional sciences. For Tier 2, we developed new simulation cases (Dementia and Stroke Rehabilitation) and implemented six modules: Dementia, Anticoagulation Therapy, Developmental Delay, Depression, Cancer, and Fracture. HKU students participating in the programme are from different disciplines: Medicine, Nursing, Chinese Medicine, Social Work, Speech and Hearing Sciences, Pharmacy, Clinical Psychology, and Food and Nutritional Science. Pharmacy students from the University College London joined the Dementia Module, while Tung Wah College and PolyU students from Physiotherapy participated in the Fracture module alongside with HKU students. In terms of online learning platforms and tools, we continue to calibrate the Open EdX, and Metaverse is a new addition to MIRO, Kahoot, Perusall.

During Tier 2, students were immersed in various IPE activities, including online activities in Open edX on Day 1, met and engaged with teammates, discussed their answers to application exercise questions, and formulated a team care plan using Miro on Day 2. Lastly, on Day 3, students were given the opportunity to join the live interactive session where they played fun learning games in Kahoot and discussed with the content experts the case in respective modules and the healthcare management plan they designed as a team.

Regarding Tier 3, we enriched and developed the video-triggered case on COVID-19 Infection Control and Management. In addition to the disciplines from Tier 2, we invited the Faculty of Engineering and the Faculty of Law to join IPE, as well as Nursing students from the Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU). We used constructive controversy to inform students developing the care plan during Tier 3. On Day 1, students formulate a within-group interprofessional healthcare plan using Miro. For Day 2, teams were paired with one another, and they took turns to present and critique each other’s care plans. Eventually, they collaborated to create a group care plan. Afterwards, students joined the live interaction session with content experts to engage in live IPE activities and discussion with content experts about the student teams’ care plans. Example of feedback from students who joined Tier 3 mentioned the benefits of the programme for their learning and professional development:

• Year 3 Social Work Student

“This is a precious opportunity for me to have a glimpse of what a multidisciplinary collaboration is, before I graduate and work as a social worker. I learned the importance of communication, as our discussion is the key for different professions to understand each other’s work as well as to look into the patient’s needs from multiple perspectives. This allows me to learn to care about and help the patient in a holistic way.”

• Year 5 MBBS Student

“We had a fruitful discussion where we discussed the concerns, we each had regarding the case based on our own expertise. I was able to approach the case from the lens of different disciplines, in particular, Law—through which I learned about the legal disputes in terms of unlawful termination under paid sick leave; Chinese medicine—through which I learned about the potential synergy of Western and Chinese medicine; and Social Work—through which I learned about the social and financial support systems available for sick persons. The experience was eye-opening and made me realize the importance of interprofessional learning and support in order to devise a well-rounded management plan which offers care in physical, psychological, and social well-being.”

• ­Year 3 Law Student

“IPE demonstrates how different fields of knowledge are intertwined with each other and therefore highlights the significance of interprofessional collaboration. After all, open-mindedness and humbleness appear to be the key to successful collaboration, motivating each of us to explore various possibilities, analyze problems from new perspectives, and dive in the ocean of knowledge.”

Next, we will carry out Tier 2 teaching activities from January to April 2023.  A new case, Stroke Rehabilitation will be implemented, and we will release two video-trigger cases for both Cancer and Stoke Rehabilitation simulations.

Back to main page