Key elements of interprofessional education. Part 2: factors, processes and outcomes.

In the second paper of this two part series on Key Elements of Interprofessional Education (IPE), we highlight factors for success in IPE based on a systematic literature review conducted for Health Canada in its "Interprofessional Education for Patient Centred Practice" (IECPCP) initiative in Canada (Oandasan et al., 2004). The paper initially discusses micro (individual level) meso (institutional/organizational level) and macro (socio-cultural and political level) factors that can influence the success of an IPE initiative. The discussion provides the infrastructure for the introduction of a proposed framework for educators to utilize in the planning and implementation of an IPE program to enhance a learner's opportunity to become a collaborative practitioner. The paper also discusses key issues related to the evaluation of IPE and its varied outcomes. Lastly, it gives the reader suggestions of outcome measurements that can be used within the proposed IPE framework.