Together we stand: The imperative for interprofessional education in professional psychology training.

Abstract

In this article, we argue that interprofessional competencies are increasingly necessary to achieving success in all facets of a professional psychologist's work. We note that the growing complexity of health challenges facing Canadians requires a renewed investment in interprofessional care and interdisciplinary research. We define key terms and discuss significant national and international trends toward interprofessional, competency-based training in health professional education. In Canada, psychology has been largely absent from these efforts, and we identify barriers that may be inhibiting psychology's participation in interprofessional education (IPE). We describe a model for integrating competency-based IPE across the continuum of professional training, and provide an example of the model's implementation. We then offer a number of recommendations for the future of professional psychology training and argue that involvement in high-quality IPE should be a program and internship accreditation requirement. Finally, we conclude by discussing the implications for the future of psychology as a health care profession if we fail to modify our current training model. Public Significance StatementThis article argues that interprofessional competencies are increasingly necessary to achieving success in all facets of a professional psychologist's work; however, there is currently no requirement for professional psychology programs to teach or assess these vital competencies. We describe a model for integrating competency-based Interprofessional Education (IPE) across the continuum of professional training, provide an example of the model's implementation, and discuss recommendations for incorporating IPE into accreditation standards. Failure to decisively champion IPE may result in reduced access to psychological services for Canadians in the future, and may limit the capacity of psychology graduates to provide safe and effective care.

Integrated Case Presentation Seminar: Bridging Parallel Fields to Improve Psychiatry and Psychology Learner Experience

“…Rather, psychology learners are historically educated within siloed academic departments, private clinics, and specialty care settings, with only a minority gaining experience within multidisciplinary clinics or medical settings. This is in opposition to current recognition of the importance of IPE in training for psychology learners [21,22], as well as the notable bene ts psychology presence can offer to other disciplines (e.g., improved familiarity, con dence, effectiveness, and e ciency in medical residents' interactions with patients with mental health concerns) [23][24][25][26]. Fortunately, language aligned with IPE has recently been incorporated as standard practice for clinical psychology learners in the United States [27], placing a greater emphasis on interdisciplinary training for all psychology learners and aligning the profession more closely with others in the healthcare eld.…”

Integrated Case Presentation Seminar: Bridging Parallel Fields to Improve Psychiatry and Psychology Learner Experience

“…Rather, psychology learners are historically educated within siloed academic departments, private clinics, and specialty care settings, with only a minority gaining experience within multidisciplinary clinics or medical settings. This is in opposition to current recognition of the importance of IPE in training for psychology learners [ 21 , 22 ], as well as the notable benefits psychology’s presence can offer to other disciplines (e.g., improved familiarity, confidence, effectiveness, and efficiency in medical residents’ interactions with patients with mental health concerns) [ 23 – 26 ]. Fortunately, language aligned with IPE has recently been incorporated as standard practice for clinical psychology learners in the United States [ 27 ], placing a greater emphasis on interdisciplinary training for all psychology learners and aligning the profession more closely with others in the healthcare field.…”

“…Holmqvist, Button, and Heath [ 32 ] demonstrated how participation in highly structured IPE programming with various medical and behavioral health learners can improve clinical psychology trainees’ beliefs about the importance of collaborative practice, as well as their own collaborative skills. Encouraging psychology and nursing learners to collaborate demonstrated similar positive results [ 33 ].…”

Canadian models of professional training: Past and future.

“…If one has the view that other health professions are not as well trained or educated as is psychology, then one would view collaborative interprofessional education initiatives with these other professions as having lesser value. Until we are able to recognize the value and worth of what our colleagues in other professions provide, then psychology will not have the skills necessary for evidence-based, coordinated care (Holmqvist et al, 2019).…”