Learning for interprofessional practice: identifying interprofessional capabilities and cultures

Literature indicates that challenges in learning for interprofessional healthcare practice are similar today compared to fifty years ago. An interdisciplinary research methodology was used, with policy makers, managers and academics participating in audio-recorded interviews and group discussions, in iterative cycles and facilitated by art-based approaches. Themes emerged around key interprofessional capabilities, along with “cultural” factors; barriers and facilitators to collaborative working in organisations. There was a notable gap in the discourse between policy and practice, and higher education. IPE terminology was identified as a barrier to developing learning environments that take into account the breadth of capabilities. In conclusion, higher education strategies should take into account different contexts of interprofessional practice and collaboration, and service users and practitioners should be involved in learning development. A framework is proposed that could be used by individual students and practitioners, as well educators and organisations as a developmental tool for the interprofessional-learning journey.