The Value of Interprofessional Continuing Education and Joint Accreditation.

Abstract

Interprofessional continuing education (IPCE) has become essential to advancing collaborative practice, improving patient outcomes, and achieving system-level changes in healthcare. As healthcare delivery evolves towards integrated, team-based models, accrediting bodies such as Joint Accreditation for Interprofessional Continuing Education^TM (Joint Accreditation) are redefining standards that promote learning developed by the team, for the team, across professions. This is a descriptive study of the advancement of Joint Accreditation, followed by a discussion of the impact of IPCE developed by providers that have achieved Joint Accreditation and the value of IPCE for patients, learners, and IPCE providers. The article concludes by describing next steps, as outlined in the Joint Accreditation strategic plan, to continue to evaluate and promote the value of IPCE. Through the inclusion of emerging health professions and community partners, strengthening of patient-centeredness in interprofessional learning, enhancing the measurement of outcomes to capture true team and system impact, and leveraging technology to support scalable and accessible learning models, Joint Accreditation and IPCE will continue to impact patients, learners, and our organisations for years to come.