In this section
Leading the way in interprofessional education, practice and research
In this section
In 2013, the DeWitt C. Baldwin Institute for Interprofessional Education was established at Rosalind Franklin University to support and further develop the University’s dedication to interprofessional, team-based, patient-centered care. By training students from their first year of study forward to think, learn, and work in collaborative teams, we are preparing them to optimize patient outcomes and reduce medical error in a complex, rapidly changing field. (According to the World Health Organization, “Interprofessional education occurs when students from two or more professions learn about, from and with each other to enable effective collaboration and improve health outcomes.”)*
The role of the Institute is to serve as a hub of learning, practice, and research in interprofessionalism, coordinating and continually improving this crucial element of Rosalind Franklin University’s mission and vision. Team members support faculty as they incorporate interprofessional activities and competencies into their classes and curriculum. Collaborative efforts between the Institute and other Divisions have inspired annual interprofessional symposia and conferences.
A history of teamwork-focused education.
Rosalind Franklin University has a rich history in interprofessional education since 2004. The University developed a standardized curriculum for its health professions clinical programs and began interprofessional education courses for students.
Dating back to 1963, Dr. John Sheinin, then president of the Chicago Medical School, called for the development of an independent university of health sciences where future medical professionals from varied disciplines would train together and learn to work in teams. The contemporary structure of today’s University began with the creation of a University of Health Sciences in 1967. It was one of the first such universities in the country—an integrated model for the education and training of an array of future health care professionals, with the goal of moving toward a more efficient and collaborative system for the delivery of the nation’s health care.