Interprofessional Education
Since 2010, LAU has been a pioneer in establishing Interprofessional Education (IPE) as a major element of its healthcare professions programs. IPE fills a vital need through enhancement of communication, collaboration, ethical practice, mutual respect, and overall professionalism among all those entrusted with patients’ care. LAU’s IPE programs emphasize not only the shared aspects, but also the unique and complementary aspects, of each profession - for example, the physician’s role as educator, healthcare team leader, and responsible decision-maker.
The IPE curriculum includes both didactic and practical activities. Every medical student is required to participate in the IPE “Steps” program, with sessions offered during each of the four academic years: Together with students from LAU’s nursing, pharmacy, nutrition, and social-work programs, medical students benefit from lectures, presentations, and case-based interactive discussions. While each session exposes students to a different facet of interprofessional collaboration, the primary focus of all IPE activities is the safety and well-being of our patients.