State of the Science: Interprofessional Approaches to Aging, Dementia, and Mental Health

Abstract

Interprofessional education (IPE) is essential to develop the healthcare workforce of the future. Geriatrics healthcare professionals have long championed innovations in IPE and patient care, but there is increased urgency to address challenges in aging, dementia, and geriatric mental health in America. In 2010, the Partnership for Health in Aging multidisciplinary competencies and a related position statement in the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society addressed interdisciplinary team (IDT) training in geriatrics. The position statement reported that training in higher education, academic, and continuing education settings has not been sufficiently responsive to workforce needs. In recent years, health professions educators and health systems leaders have increasingly recognized that IPE should be integrally linked with, and performed within, emerging models of team-based, value-driven health care. In this way, IPE will align with learning healthcare systems' pursuit of the Quadruple Aim: improving patient experience, provider experience, and the health of populations, and reducing per capita health care costs. Backed by decades of developing effective team care models and the skill set needed to care for older adults with complex needs, geriatrics healthcare providers from multiple disciplines are uniquely positioned to lead learning healthcare systems in a new effort to develop, implement, and sustain IPE and practice models congruent with these Aims. We provide recommendations for health professions educators, healthcare systems leaders, and policymakers to realize the potential of IPE and interprofessional collaborative practice (IPCP) to improve the health of all Americans in aging, dementia, and mental health.

Commentary on State of the Science: Interprofessional Approaches to Aging, Dementia, and Mental Health

“…Guided by the Interprofessional Learning Continuum (IPLC) model 4 (see Farrell et al, 14 Figure 1), this Commentary reinforces and extends the Farrell et al 14 recommendations by highlighting national and international innovations in interprofessional geriatrics and gerontology, especially related to dementia and mental health. The comprehensive IPLC model grew out of recognition in the IOM’s “Measuring the Impact of Interprofessional Education on Collaborative Practice and Patient Outcomes” 4 that curriculum reform and collaborative practice redesign are prerequisite to improving health and system outcomes.…”

“…In this supplement, Farrell et al 14 recommend a unified effort to integrate geriatric and gerontology competencies, content and principles into interprofessional curricula that are aligned with objectives for health systems science. 15 Those objectives aim to transform curricula to improve population health, team-based care, high-value care, leadership, quality improvement, patient safety and health policy.…”

“…15 Those objectives aim to transform curricula to improve population health, team-based care, high-value care, leadership, quality improvement, patient safety and health policy. 15 Farrell et al 14 posit that an intentional, systematic approach by health science educators, health care systems leaders and clinicians is essential to advancing innovation for positive outcomes around aging, dementia and MH/SU.…”

Health and Aging Policy Fellows: Dementia and Mental Health Policy to Improve Lives of Older Adults

“…The workforce opportunities are significant. The need for professional and paraprofessional training in interprofessional education and team‐based care for persons with dementia and mental health conditions cannot be overstated . An infusion of capital will be needed to expand innovations in the care of older adults from systems and models of care to technological advances to improve quality of life.…”

Challenges in Aging, Dementia, and Mental Health: New Knowledge and Energy to Inform Solutions

“…Sturdevant's accompanying commentary applies Rogers’ Diffusion of Innovations model to the nursing home culture change movement to examine and demonstrate concerns related to its lack of widespread diffusion. The final white paper, by Farrell, Luptak, Supiano, Pacala, and DeLisser, reimagines the interprofessional training and education required to meet future workforce needs to care for this growing population of older adults with dementia and mental health concerns. Harris’ accompanying commentary about curricular and health system changes to support interprofessional education, training, and practice also broadens the discussion to a global perspective, sharing successful models that may be instructive.…”