Developing a Recursive Evaluation Plan of a Complex Interprofessional Healthcare Education Initiative

Authors

  • James Scott Parrott Associate Professor Department of Interdisciplinary Studies School of Health Related Professions Adjunct Associate Professor Department of Quantitative Methods School of Public Health Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
  • Patricia Findley Associate Professor, School of Social Work, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
  • Matthew Rosenthal School of Health Related Professions, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey
  • Pamela Rothpletz-Pugila Department of Nutritional Sciences, School of Health Related Professions, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.22230/jripe.2016v6n1a220

Keywords:

Interprofessional education, University education, Complexity, Evaluation

Abstract

Background: A university interprofessional education (IPE) and interprofessional practice (IPP) initiative is a complex undertaking: incorporating multiple system levels (administration, faculty, students, patients), integrating many theoretical perspectives, and coordinating a host of individual IPE research projects. Guidance for evaluating such an IPE initiative is lacking.

Methods and Findings: We describe five key challenges to evaluating the effectiveness of such an initiative, and the processes and tools we have developed to meet those challenges. We draw from recent developments in evaluation science to theoretically ground our description. Additionally, we share concrete tools we have developed in the process. By tacking between theoretical and concrete aspects of our efforts, we hope to both provide ideas for other IPE initiatives, as well as provide a basis for future research comparing cases (complex university IPE initiatives).

Conclusions: While all complex IPE university initiatives are unique, we suspect that they share many common evaluation challenges. By framing these common practical challenges as common theoretical challenges, we seek to offer a description of our concrete case as well as a basis for future comparison of similar initiatives.

Author Biography

James Scott Parrott, Associate Professor Department of Interdisciplinary Studies School of Health Related Professions Adjunct Associate Professor Department of Quantitative Methods School of Public Health Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey

I have over 25 years of experience working as a methodological and statistical expert both within and outside the university setting in such areas as medical and healthcare research, public health, evidence based medicine, and education. Recent work focuses on evidence analysis methods, and statistical modeling of intervention and outcome studies. Currently an associate professor at Rutgers University in New Jersey with appointments in the Departments of Nutritional Sciences, Interdisciplinary Studies, and the School of Public Health. Currently involved in several clinical and epidemiological research projects and have authored or co-authored 16 peer-reviewed publications in the past two years. 

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Published

2016-06-20

Issue

Section

Articles: Methodology