Implement Interprofessional Education in Healthcare
Communication in the healthcare field is critical but often happens in silos, which can lead to burnout and affect practitioners’ well-beings. But interprofessional education—a collaborative learning method—brings together two or more professions and provides a framework for employees to share a common purpose: a focus on patients’ and families’ needs. In this issue of TD at Work, Christina Barss and Angela J. Patchell detail:
- what IPE is and why it is important to the healthcare profession
- how to implement IPE and the associated benefits and challenges
- how to sustain an IPE program.
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![Christina_Barss 2023.png]()
Full ProfileDr. Christina Barss is an experienced industry subject matter expert (SME) in improvement sciences and organizational culture change. Her unique blend of practical, academic, and art perspectives creates custom operational and employee engagement solutions that transform the bottom line. For example, her PhD in sustainable systems design focused on disparately located interprofessional teams in transition during lean transformation at a large, midwestern, urban, academic medical center.
Dr. Barss' 12 years in healthcare were filled leading strategic enterprise-level initiatives to improve patient safety, quality, service, and innovation as well as teaching and coaching executives. From C-suite to frontline, she connects seamlessly and guides others in building trust bridges. Her continuous improvement science foundation began in the manufacturing industry. She presents nationally and internationally on design thinking, change management, organizational culture, corporate learning, executive education, and succession planning.
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![Angela Patchell]()
Full ProfileAngela Patchell, MSN, APRN, AGCNS-BC, RN-BC, CPAN, is the nursing professional development manager of systemwide nursing and unlicensed assistive personnel (UAP) orientation for Christiana Care Health System. Angela joined Christiana Care Health Systems in 2005 and served in various roles in the health system prior to her current role.
Angela received her associate of science in nursing from Cecil College, bachelor of science degree in exercise science from Towson University, and her master of science in nursing from Wesley College. She is an advanced practice nurse holding board certification as an adult-gerontology clinical nurse specialist and is certified in both nursing professional development and peri anesthesia nursing. In addition, Angela has earned bronze-level certification in Kirkpatrick Methodology and is currently pursuing her certification through Juran for Lean Six Sigma Green Belt.
In her current role, she is accountable for ensuring a successful onboarding program for new nurses and UAPs as well as promoting evidence-based practices, including incorporating Lean Six Sigma methodologies. Angela has experience in leading and developing interprofessional education for novice healthcare providers.
Angela’s nursing career has been dedicated to creating high-quality, reliable systems of care and producing professional development programs for the next generation of nurses and healthcare professionals to lead in these ever-changing times.
