Dr. Engers, along with nursing and pharmacy faculty, directly supervise pharmacy, social work, nursing and nurse practitioner students in theinterprofessional education (IPE) initiatives described. She maintains an independent practice in Montgomery County and supervises social work students at the Shady Grove campus for the University of Maryland School of Social Work. She has extensive experience practicing in collaborative environments in both in-patient and out-patient settings, and her previous IPE activities included co-teaching an interprofessional critical care class.
Developing expertise in IPE and interprofessional collaboration (IPC) in patient care is essential to educating healthcare professionals prepared to function effectively within today's emerging patient-centered healthcare teams. When disciplines work collaboratively, communication and teamwork are enhanced, thus improving quality of care (Institute of Medicine, 2015; Jennings, et al., 2016). But multiple barriers prevent IPE in ambulatory community settings, including limited space, fewer resources, and fewer disciplines and/or patients available at the same time.