Learning outcomes
Examine the competencies and capabilities required for interprofessional practice.
Discuss the relevance of context for working in an interprofessional manner.
Explain specific capabilities required in dementia care.
Explain the Model of Interprofessional Practice and Education – Dementia.
Key terms
capabilities
competencies
dementia
evaluation
interprofessional
interprofessional education (IPE)
personhood
Introduction
In 1978, the World Health Organization stated:
Given that effective health care requires the services of personnel with different competencies, it is essential that trainees should have appropriate experience of such cooperative endeavours and have the ability to work towards a common goal, to communicate and share responsibility.
As community members, students and/or practitioners, we have all worked in many team environments for example, the workplace, sport, committees, community services, and group assignments where people with varying skills and knowledge come together to jointly achieve a goal or provide a service. Within health settings, team practice is common where a group of professionals for example, nurse, social worker, oncologist, pharmacist and radiographer manage the care of a specified number of patients as a coordinated group. However, very few of these experiences can be described as interprofessional.
Respectful working relationships with shared decision making, shared leadership and shared learning are the hallmarks of interprofessional practice (IPP). In addition to specific professional competence, other skills are required: the ability to work collaboratively; to take responsibility for your own actions and the actions of the team as a whole; to take a leadership role or follow the lead of others depending on circumstances; and the ability to provide a consistent service while under pressure.