Getting to Solutions in Interprofessional Education: Report of the 2006–2007 Professional Affairs Committee

• DOI: 10.5688/aj7106s19
• Publication Date: 2011-08-10T08:22:13Z
• Authors: Patricia Kroboth; Lynn M. Crismon; Charles Daniels; Michael Hogue; Lydia Reed; Linda Johnson; Daniel Robinson; Steven Scott; Marie Smith; Lucinda L. Maine
• Keywords: 4. Education; 0202 electrical engineering, electronic engineering, information engineering; 02 engineering and technology; 16. Peace & justice; 3. Good health

According to the Bylaws of the AACP, the Professional Affairs Committee is to study: “Issues associated with professional practice as they relate to pharmaceutical education, and to establish and improve working relationships with all other organizations in the field of health affairs.” The Committee is also encouraged to address related agenda items relevant to its Bylaws charge and to identify issues for consideration by subsequent committees, task forces, commissions, or other groups. Goal VII of the 2004 AACP Strategic Plan states that AACP will provide leadership for the development of inter-professional and multidisciplinary education, research, and patient care opportunities for faculty and students at all colleges and schools of pharmacy. President Marilyn Speedie specifically charged the 2006-07 AACP Professional Affairs Committee to study and offer recommendations on strategies that can advance the goals of our academy to significantly improve interprofessional education and practice. The Committee was asked specifically to explore the political and collaborative relationships across professional boundaries that are necessary if we are to accomplish our goals in this area. The Committee conducted its work with one face-to-face meeting in Washington, DC in October and subsequent conference calls and electronic communications. Prior to the meeting each committee member was asked to prepare a brief presentation of an experience in their own career where they designed and/or participated in an interprofessional education or practice initiative. The meeting began with these presentations and discussion of the lessons learned from each distinct activity. Two liaison members were invited to participate on the Committee to bring interprofessional perspectives to the discussion. Linda Johnson, RN, PhD, serves in the Office of Academic Affiliations for the US Department of Veterans Affairs. Lydia Reed, MBA, is President and CEO of the Association of University Programs in Health Administration.